Antigua and Barbuda offers to purchase three LIAT planes

Antigua and Barbuda made its intentions known, by placing a bid for 3 planes to the Caribbean Development Bank based in Barbados. These planes were being used by LIAT for the purpose of inter-regional flights, before it was dissolved last month.

The offer is said to have been made by Prime Minister Gaston Browne during a zoom meeting which included him, representatives of the Caribbean Development Bank and representatives of the LIAT (1974) shareholders, on Tuesday.

The airline ceased all operations on the 24th of January this year and is jointly owned by the governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

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Cleveland Seafort became the court appointed administrator of the defunct air service after the 24th of July, 2020 and announced the end of operations via a staff letter.

Seafort did assure the airline’s staff that they would receive their severance, vacation pay, retroactive pay and any outstanding salaries, which he considers a part of his responsibility.

In a statement regarding the matter, he said the following, “The company recognises its obligation as it relates to any of the [aforementioned] applicable entitlements, which will be provided to you under separate cover within 45 days of this letter after the respective computations have been completed.”

As Prime Minister Gaston Browne delivered the National Budget Address in December 2023, he highlighted the fact that the Caribbean Development Bank had a key role to play in cementing agreements between governments with regards to LIAT.

In his opinion, this would help ensure that an arrangement can be pursued with a Nigerian private airline named Air Peace, which was established in 2013.

He added, “So that LIAT 2020 can begin operations, thereby securing a promising future for regional travel.”

Going by the cabinet statement, it is evident that Prime Minister Browne told his compatriots of his offer to purchase the 3 planes from the Caribbean Development Bank, so that they can be utilized by LIAT (2020), since LIAT (1974) is not a defunct entity.

It is expected that talks between these parties for the acquisition of said air crafts, will continue in the coming week. The price on the offer has not been revealed to the public but details are expected to be available as the deal progresses.

An official statement from the Cabinet stated the following, “Following the consummation of the sale, the three aircraft will form the basis of the fleet that will cause LIAT 2020 to become a viable entity. It will partner with Air Peace to provide the much-needed intra-regional and extra-regional services to move people and cargo throughout the Caribbean.”