Last Updated on April 5, 2020, 8:56 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Amid Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak across the Americas, the Leeward Island Air Transport (LIAT) has suspended its all passenger services across the region for the next fourteen days as a preventive measure.
The announcement was made by the LIAT airline on Friday, informing that the regional airline will only operate cargo and charters flights during the said period.
“The imposition of travel bans and border closures had ground regional travel to a pause,” said chief executive officer (CEO), LIAT, Julie Reifer Jones.
Jones said that the company tried to keep a limited schedule, but the existing conditions have made it impossible to continue. “As a result, the company has decided a temporary suspension of passenger services from April 4 to April 18 in the first instance.”
Reifer Jones says the suspension of passenger flights will be reviewed after the first fourteen days.
The airline has also issued a travel advisory for all affected passengers.
They said passengers booked during the period of suspension would automatically have their bookings cancelled and will receive full credit.
Additionally, passengers will be able to rebook as soon as the airline resumes services.
Reifer-Jones also acknowledged that this was an extremely challenging time for the airline, its employees and other stakeholders.
She says the airline had implemented several other measures including temporary layoffs and reduced working hours.
Besides, the airline’s Board of Directors is in direct communication with regional governments to secure a support package that would see the company maintain a limited schedule when the situation allows.
LIAT said it will continue to review the rapidly changing situation and remains committed to ensuring the region is connected.
LIAT operates in 15 destinations.
Dominica is a shareholder of LIAT with the majority being, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
Dominica is a shareholder of LIAT with the majority being, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
