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LIAT pilots strike; Some flights cancelled

June 8th, 2017 | Tags:
LIAT’s pilots refused to fly the ATR 72 aircraft until an agreement is reached with management with regard ongoing negotiations for higher wages. Photo Credit: WINN FM
WINN FM

LIAT’s pilots have made good on threats to take industrial action.

On Wednesday morning members of the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) refused to fly the ATR 72 aircraft until an agreement is reached with management with regard ongoing negotiations for higher wages.

The Antigua-based regional airline, issued a travel advisory Wednesday morning (June 7) informing of a number of delays and cancellations to its services across its network.

The 8:35am flight from St. Kitts to Antigua was cancelled, however the 11:55 am flight to St. Maarten and the 3:15pm flight to Antigua operated as normal.

WINN FM understands the pilots are only refusing to fly the larger ATR 72 series aircraft, while the smaller planes remain in operation. 

According to an airline press release Wednesday morning, LIAT’s CEO, Julie Reifer-Jones said “LIAT apologises for these disruptions to our passengers and their plans, and wishes to reiterate its commitment to work with LIALPA to resolve any issues.”

The pilots had threatened to take industrial action two weeks ago if management did not honor the salary package agreed upon in January 2017. The Pilots Association accused LIAT of acting in bad faith and gave the airline until June 1 to resolve the salary issue “in order to avoid any further escalation of the matter”.

As at press time Tuesday evening the status of the industrial action and management talks were unclear.

1 Response to “LIAT pilots strike; Some flights cancelled”

  • ex passenger (08/06/2017, 20:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    the pilots do a fine job. it is the admin people who should 'crash' if you get my meaning. the owners of Liat,
    the several governments who own the thing, should get an icbm present too. fricken bastards. hope the pilots
    get what they want.


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