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LIAT shutdown likely during Easter period- CEO David Evans

- if pilots take industrial action
In February 2015, shareholder governments who convened a meeting in Barbados agreed to reduce LIAT’s workforce of 800 by 160 in light of the carrier’s projected financial loss of $29.6 million last year. Photo: Loop Barbados
Chief Executive Officer of LIAT, David Evans. Photo: Loop Barbados
Chief Executive Officer of LIAT, David Evans. Photo: Loop Barbados
Loop Barbados

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados- The Chief Executive Officer of LIAT on Thursday evening, March 19, 2015 issued a stark warning about the effect of likely industrial action by pilots over the Easter period.

David Evans says this would put the regional carrier – in which Barbados is a major shareholder – in a position of no return, leading to a shutdown.

The Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) this week issued a statement expressing discontent with the airline’s decision not to reinstate pilots, Jamie Hunt and Vincent Augustin, who were dismissed last year after one of the airline’s ATRs was damaged during Hurricane Gonzalo in October.

LIALPA also had concerns about the progress of fleet renewal, the pension fund, pay rates for flying the ATRs and crew rostering.

Evans said all of LIALPA’s grievances are either before the courts or being dealt with in the normal manner.

The CEO promised that the management will do everything in its power to minimise the effect of industrial action, but cautioned that there could still be a significant disruption.

In February, shareholder government who convened a meeting in Barbados agreed to reduce LIAT’s workforce of 800 by 160 in light of the carrier’s projected financial loss of $29.6 million last year.

They also announced plans to shift the airline’s shift base from Antigua to Barbados to bring in more revenue from the southern Caribbean.

Additionally, the leaders agreed to an almost immediate cash injection of BDS $3.7 million.

12 Responses to “LIAT shutdown likely during Easter period- CEO David Evans ”

  • WTFIT (19/03/2015, 22:35) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ok make sense out of nonsense. This is a mark to show how dis-organized the Governments are. Get an outside auditor to audit the airline and find out where the money is going and who is not paying their dues. LIAT need to become a partner for a larger airline who can subsidized some of its operations so LIAT can take over some of its island hoping routes etc... .
    • The watchman (20/03/2015, 22:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Research before speaking. Liat's major shareholder is Caribbean Airlines.
  • xxxxxxxx (19/03/2015, 23:33) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    well saw and there is no caribben sun
  • Liat 521 (20/03/2015, 00:01) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    Try fly bvi or the brathwaite boys
    • Linda (20/03/2015, 08:27) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well it is strange that the Carifta games are being held in St Kitts over Easter Weekend. How are the major athletes expected to get there? This will be a serious issue for most of the caribbean islands who are using LIAT to travel to St Kitts...... will all stakeholders be reimbursed fully? interesting to see how this will play out!!!
    • @liat 521 (20/03/2015, 08:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Their carriers are not big enough. Some upgrades need to be done for Fly BVI.
      • @- -> @liat 521 (20/03/2015, 11:13) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
        Everybody needs a little upgrade in whatever they do but Fly BVI is actually great and regardless they do what it takes to accommodate their people... I've travelled with them on numerous occasions and they are indeed great, and also have friendly staff...
  • edit me (20/03/2015, 08:19) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not surprise. too much executives, too much office managers, too much huge salaries, that's where Liat money is going------Its always the Pilot or the people on the ground suffering--Those are the people that keep liat flying and keep those huge salaries for the CEO`s and executives coming. Address that, then half of Liat financial problems is solved
  • asura (20/03/2015, 09:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This will be sad if it happens this way
  • son of the soil (20/03/2015, 10:09) Like (0) Dislike (29) Reply
    Lord these island people going to stay here for easter?
  • Tour Ops (20/03/2015, 15:26) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    You are worried about Carifta games? Yes, but be more concerned about thousands of Europeans Tourist, who are here on vacation or are coming in via the main hubs St. Maarten and Antigua. That will be a major disaster. If they all have to cancel we might lose Millions of dollars in revenue. I hope WINAIRis ready for us!


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