LIAT 2020 celebrates arrival of first two aircraft with water salute in Antigua

The newly established airline LIAT 2020 celebrated the arrival of its first two Embraer E-145 jet aircraft with a spectacular water salute at the V.C. Bird International Airport

2025-08-01 17:36:08

LIAT 2020 celebrates arrival of first two aircraft with water salute in Antigua (PC - Facebook)

Antigua and Barbuda: The newly established airline LIAT 2020 celebrated the arrival of its first two Embraer E-145 jet aircraft with a spectacular water salute at the V.C. Bird International Airport. The aircraft landed at Terminal B of the Antiguan airport on Tuesday and marked significant progress towards commencing commercial operations. The occasion marked the beginning of LIAT’s quest to be one of the top Caribbean airline in 2024 and beyond. The airline has already began demo flights under the supervision of the ECCAA – Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority while it awaits for its official AOC – Air Operators Certificate. The arrival of the two jet aircrafts showcased a major step forward for the airline and brought it closer to achieving its goal to become the leading airline. As the aircraft arrived at the V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua, a welcoming reception was hosted at Terminal B to commemorate the momentous occasion. The reception was joined by government officials, stakeholders, and media, who warmly received the two aircraft and their crew. The government of Antigua and Barbuda aims to provide better connectivity and more affordable air travel options for the region with the launch of this airline. As the test flight faced a few issues, Prime Minister Gaston Browne confirmed quick action and replacement parts were secured to fix malfunctioning landing gear, ensuring the airline meets top safety standards before receiving its Air Operator’s Certificate. The ECCAA oversaw training flights conducted by LIAT 2020 in order to obtain its AOC for future scheduled services. The flights were closely monitored by the regional aviation body, ECCAA. Two of the flights were to St. Kitts and back on Saturday, while two more were on Sunday. As the first two flights of this latest airline arrived, netizens expressed their excitement and optimism over its launch. “I’m so excited to see this movement on the new birth of LIAT. We wish her much success through all the seasons and times. God is good. We really need this airline back in the not-so-friendly skies in order to connect with our families and friends throughout the Caribbean,” wrote a user named Eddie Gordon, while another user said, “I hope they have a successful business venture. The Caribbean people need a safe and competitive advantage when flying.”

Monika Walker

Monika Walker is an experienced journalist specializing in global political developments and international relations. With a keen eye for accuracy and analysis, Monika has been reporting for over a decade, bringing stories to light that matter to readers around the world. She holds a degree in International Journalism and is passionate about giving a voice to underrepresented communities through factual reporting.