LIAT’s latest ATR-42 aircraft
Caribbean regional airline LIAT plans to reduce its fleet by nearly 20 percent in 2015 – from 11 to nine – to lower operating costs.
“Like any responsible business, we have to examine our cost base and if we fly fewer aircraft in 2015 than in 2014, we also need to reduce our costs to reflect this,” CEO David Evans was quoted as saying in a company press release, adding that LIAT’s board of directors has mandated that the airline’s costs reflect its level of activity.
“It is too early to say what impact there may be on jobs as a result of this, and the company will consult with its staff and their representatives over its plans before making any announcement,” he added.
In September 2014, the Antigua and Barbuda-based airline announced new flights to Port-au-Prince starting on Dec. 5 as part of a restructuring of its commercial activities.
LIAT, whose main shareholders are the governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, operates daily fights to more than 21 destinations across the Caribbean. EFE
