The future of regional airline, LIAT will come under the microscope when Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell and representatives of other shareholder governments and stakeholders meet in St. Vincent today.
Delegates attending the meeting are expected to discuss a number of options intended to secure the future viability of the regional carrier.
As he prepared to depart for the meeting, Prime Minister Mitchell said, “today’s meeting could be a defining moment for the future of LIAT as we discuss the varying roles of shareholder governments, stakeholders and the private sector. The underlying premise of the discussions is that the travelling public must be better served and intra-regional travel encouraged.”
While in St. Vincent, Dr. Mitchell will also attend the 66th Meeting of the OECS Authority which is scheduled for Tuesday, October 23.
Agenda items for the meeting include a presentation on Climate Smart and Investment Ready Opportunities for the OECS; establishment of diplomatic presence in Canada; OECS membership in the Inter-American Development Bank and the establishment of a fourth University of the West Indies campus in Antigua/Barbuda and the implications for OECS member states.
A number of reports from OECS organs will also be discussed including the OECS Commission, End of Financial Year Report; Annual Report of the OECS Assembly for the Financial Year 2017/2018 and Reports of the Council of Ministers: Social Development, Foreign Affairs, Environmental Sustainability and Tourism.
LIAT ‘s fare structure, airport fees and government taxes are a disincentive to regional travel. e.g. Next month God willing, I fly from JFK to MIA for US104.00. When I return to Trinidad, the cheapest flight from POS to GND is US146.00. Last year I flew from JFK to POS with an over night in MIA for US194. When I got to POS I had to pay US258 to return to Grenada.
Something has to be wrong if it is cheaper to fly between POS and the US or Canada than it is to fly between day GND and ANU.