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LIAT 2020 takes to the skies with inaugural passenger flight to Saint Lucia

- VI not currently on LIAT's flight destinations
The newly formed LIAT 2020 made its inaugural flight to St Lucia on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, signalling the return to the skies of the inter-regional airline, whose previous owners, LIAT (1974) Ltd went bankrupt in January this year. Photo: Facebook
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston A. Browne, checking in for LIAT 2020's inaugural flight to St Lucia on August 6, 2024. Photo: Facebook.
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston A. Browne, checking in for LIAT 2020's inaugural flight to St Lucia on August 6, 2024. Photo: Facebook.
The check-in area for LIAT 2020 at the VC Bird International Airport in Antigua. Photo: Facebook
The check-in area for LIAT 2020 at the VC Bird International Airport in Antigua. Photo: Facebook
ST JOHN’S, Antigua & Barbuda- The newly formed LIAT 2020 made its inaugural flight to St Lucia on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, signalling the return to the skies of the inter-regional airline, whose previous owners, LIAT (1974) Ltd went bankrupt in January this year.

LIAT 1974 Ltd has been under administration since July 24, 2020, and the new entity has been formed in partnership with Air Peace, a private Nigerian airline founded in 2013.

The inaugural flight, destined for Saint Lucia, took off at 11:30 am, carrying a group of dignitaries and media representatives. This launch followed a brief opening ceremony where the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston A. Browne, along with other officials, expressed pride in this momentous occasion. 

No LIAT flight to the VI for now

LIAT 2020 starts its operations with a fleet of seven aircraft, initially offering a limited schedule of three flights per week between Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, and Barbados.

Earlier this year, Antigua authorities announced that Air Peace would invest close to US$65 million, while the government is contributing US$20 million. This collaboration underscores a significant investment in the future of Caribbean aviation, aiming to restore and enhance regional connectivity.

The [British] Virgin Islands may also be hoping for LIAT 2020 to soon make the territory one of its destinations, considering the many challenges with the regional airlines currently serving the VI.

14 Responses to “LIAT 2020 takes to the skies with inaugural passenger flight to Saint Lucia”

  • Insanity (07/08/2024, 09:06) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result”
  • Happy for them. (07/08/2024, 09:15) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    Inter always late. WinA acting greedy, charging $15.00 for each piece of luggage.. Not going big up Liat too quick. Let me see what they coming with. Liat still my preference.
    • cross (07/08/2024, 10:35) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      WinAir were supposed to fly me from SKB to EIS via SXM - a total trip of approximately 2 hrs including the change in SXM.
      When we boarded, late, in SKB we were told that we were going to stop in ANU on the way to SXM - ANU is almost exactly the opposite direction.
      We were told not to worry about making the connection to EIS in SXM because we would be on the same place and it could not go without us.
      After a 60 min delay in ANU we arrived in SKB to be told that our plane to EIS had left without us, but that there was another one in 7 hours time.
      8 hours later we boarded the plane in SXM expecting to go to EIS, only to be told that we were going to stop in ANU on the way - almost an hours flight in the wrong direction.
      Eventually we made it to EIS almost 12 hours late.
      No apology, and no response to my complaint.
      Give me Intercaribbean any day instead of WinAir.
  • bad news (07/08/2024, 09:19) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well I hope they can get something work out fast so that liat can be back hope minister k r get something work out for the people who go down the Caribbean we the people fed up of inter Caribbean Air line
  • redundancy (07/08/2024, 09:22) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Did the previous staff members ever get paid
    • ANTIIGAN (07/08/2024, 09:49) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      Why should Antigua government pay all the debt and the airline belongs to other CARIBBEAN governments.
      • truth be told (07/08/2024, 11:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Antiigan, it is ah you that put LIAT into that situation in the first place so who do you expect to pay all the debt.
        As a matter of fact ah you not paying any debt. What about the ($10,000,000) that Dominica put into Liat to help save them when some of the other islands were refusan but they were stiil
        leaving them straded in Antigua.
  • Martee Marig (07/08/2024, 10:39) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Resident of Virgin Islands since 1980 Liat is always the same I don't know how much they talk about other airlines they don't say about their own failure with Air BVI
  • round rock (07/08/2024, 10:49) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    I am so excited that the Antiguan government has taken the initiative to reintroduce the L.I.A.T airline. It shows that the Prime Minister Brown knows the importance of L.I.A.T to boost the tourism industry. It is a $20.US Million well spent. I am optimistic that the amount of tourist that will arrive in Antigua will boost the economy tremendously. I would like to suggest to the Premier here to consider investing $2.US million into the venture so that we will have a stake in the venture. This will ensure more tourists arriving here to boost the economy. I hope the opposition do not derail it especially Hon. Turnbull and Hon Penn.
  • Air Africa (07/08/2024, 13:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm sure even that its owned from Nigeria now, its better than the other LIAT.
  • We need Liat. (07/08/2024, 14:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    They are only for now servicing the countries that invest in them. Can't blame them..
  • RedStorm (07/08/2024, 15:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Silliness can one. Did the investor ensure that all the people were paid their refund. It does matter because commercial laws Will protect those who were duped their money and had to buy new tickets. Those who were not paid should get a commercial lawyer to advocate for them.
  • BuzzBvi (07/08/2024, 16:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Intercaribbean got some real competition now to see who can be worst.
  • Lester (07/08/2024, 19:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Interesting!


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