A picture of an Embraer ERJ-145 jet has been spotted with the LIAT 2020 logo as the airline gets ready to carry test flights.
Planespotters.net was the first to post pictures of the plane.
In February, Antigua Prime Minister Gaston Browne said regional shareholder governments in the now-defunct LIAT (1975) Limited have agreed to sell at least three planes to LIAT 2020, enabling the inter-regional airline’s debut.
Browne called the measure “significant” because it would help the new airline, launched in conjunction with Air Peace, a 2013 Nigerian private carrier, transition smoothly.
The ERJ145 airframe was developed specifically for regional applications and optimised to deliver reliability and performance, according to the Brazilian aerospace company.
The 50-passenger jet airliner has a circular cross-section fuselage, rear-mounted engines, low-mounted swept wings, and a T-tailplane.
The government of Antigua agreed to pay $12.1 million US into an Escrow account for the acquisition of the other planes owned by the Caribbean Development Bank.
Two flights are planned with the ECCAA (Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority) officials as a prelude to issuing the A.O.C. (Air Operator Certificate), which is required for the airline to be authorised to fly.
The demo flights will see one aircraft flying to St. Kitts and another to St. Lucia.
LIAT 1974 Ltd. ceased operations on January 24, 2024, under the supervision of court-appointed administrator Cleveland Seaforth.