By Shermain Bique-Charles in Bridgetown, Barbados
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is backing efforts to boost intra-regional travel after the collapse of LIAT 1974.
Though the bank has not commented on talks between CDB and the Antigua and Barbuda government about LIAT 2020, CDB’s Acting President Isaac Solomon told a press conference in Barbados yesterday that air transport was “critical” for the region’s development.
Over the weekend, Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced that negotiations between CDB and the government over the sale of aircraft had concluded, and that all governments with shares in LIAT have agreed to sell them to LIAT 2020.
Solomon told Monday’s press conference in Bridgetown, “Air transport is critical for our development, and it is part of the whole connectivity ecosystem. Connectivity is very important for our development as a region…connectivity in all its dimensions is about maritime transport, air transport…and given the diverse cultural nature of some of our countries, we are connected in that way as well.”
Meanwhile, Solomon said CDB is willing to provide assistance in resolving the air transportation limitations affecting the Caribbean.
“We are encouraged by the number of private actors who entered the space as part of the Covid-19 recovery.
“We can all recall how difficult it was to get from one part of the region to the other. It was no fun for us to be having a meeting in St Kitts and having to travel to Barbados and then to Miami,” he said.
Meanwhile, conflict continues between the government and the Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union (ABWU) regarding outstanding severance pay for hundreds of former LIAT 1974 workers.
Browne previously said he would not engage in any discussions with the union while it insists on a 100 percent severance payout.
Consequently, there has been a long impasse between the two parties.
The Prime Minister recently said he is prepared to restart talks but will still not entertain discussions that revolve around the payment of full severance.
The government’s latest offer is for a 32 percent payment in cash and bonds, which amounts to approximately EC$110 million.
This offer is significantly lower than the 50 percent the government had initially proposed.
ABWU General Secretary David Massiah has maintained his stance of fighting for 100 percent severance pay.
Workers have been waiting for their money since LIAT 1974 entered administration in July 2020.
