Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua hopes that the January 24 shutdown of LIAT 1974 Limited will be followed by a smooth transition to LIAT 2020 Limited.
Browne stated on his weekly radio programme on Saturday that his administration is awaiting letters of no objection from the other shareholder governments of LIAT 1974 Limited before requesting authorization from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to permit Antigua and Barbuda to acquire a minimum of one aircraft for LIAT 2020.
Antigua and Barbuda, according to Browne, hopes to acquire three LIAT aircraft from the CDB “at commercial value.”
“If everything goes as planned and the respective prime ministers and their governments take prompt action… provided that those letters are dispatched by early next week, we anticipate concluding the sale of the initial aircraft for LIAT 2020 within a few weeks,” he further elaborated.
“Our objective is to conclude the year 1974 by the conclusion of this month and simultaneously commence the year 2020.”
The preponderance of LIAT 1974’s personnel will be rehired at the new company, according to Browne.
Air Peace, a Nigerian airline, and the administrations of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Barbados, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will collaborate on LIAT 2020.
LIAT is anticipated to be majority-owned by Air Peace.
