All of Us Who Were Criticizing LIAT Are Now Asking Where Is LIAT – PM Skerrit

Dominica will continue to support the revitalization of LIAT if more flights to the island is assured, said PM Roosevelt Skerrit. While regional owners have stated that they want to see the embattled airline taken over by another investor, Skerrit said a new management structure and flight coordination would have been more desirable.

The Dominican leader said his government is ready to support the entire replacement of LIAT or its revitalization under a new management. He recalled the economic contributions of LIAT to the growth of Dominica and the entire Caribbean, adding that the four regional governments who invested heavily in the airline have no regrets whatsoever even though the airline is now moribound and bankrupt.

This is why four governments continued to invest in LIAT and we have done so with no regrets. I have no regrets whatsoever for putting our taxpayers money into LIAT.

Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit: Prime Minister of Dominica

Skerrit said the sunk airline was particularly helpful during disaster situations and many Dominican residents and visitors were able to arrive or depart the island through its consistent help and availability. He noted that people did not really appreciate the contributions of LIAT to space travel in the Caribbean until the airline was grounded.

“There is the saying [that] you never miss the water until the well runs dry,” Skerrit said proverbially. “All of us who were criticizing LIAT are now asking where is LIAT and why isn’t LIAT coming back to the air?”

Regional owners of LIAT attributed heavy debt burden exceeding $100 million to the woes of the grounded airline, adding that the air company also suffered as a result of the recent COVID-19 pandemic which necessitated worldwide lockdown.  

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