By Elesha George
Former prime minister of Barbados,Owen Seymour Arthur, has been announced as the next Chairman of the Board of Directors for the regional airline, LIAT. Arthur will replace Barbadian Dr Jean Holder who retired last December.
Arthur, recognised as was the longest serving Barbadian Prime Minister, served from September 6th, 1994 to January 20th, 1999; January 20th, 1999 to May 21st, 2003; and from May 21st, 2003 to January 15th, 2008.
His chairmanship is among several changes being made to LIAT, according to Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who said other changes would include the implementation of a proper reservations system and employee-hiring control.
“I don’t think there could be any better candidate,” Browne said, recounting how Arthur had invested in the “survivability” of the airline during his tenure as prime minister of Barbados. He said now that LIAT is at a crossroad again, he thinks Arthur is “the right person to help to lead LIAT out of its difficulties”.
The announcement came a few weeks after Browne said that he met with the head of LIAT’s largest shareholder government, Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley and the chairman of LIAT’s shareholder governments, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves to reach a consensus on the way forward for the failing airline.
As for addressing other matters such as the cost of travel, Browne explained that while there may be room for a reduction in airport taxes, it must take place incrementally.
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I guess nobody wants to put a person with airline experience in charge? or reduce those murderous taxes. We still charge our own planes as much and sometimes more than foreigners. This make no sense at all, no wonder Liat keeps struggling along. Further proof Einstein was right yet again.
Is LIAT really an Airline?In my opinion it is liken to a sinkhole,a money pit.It does not matter the leader of LIAT.It would be the same old dung of a money pit.Where taxpayers monies would be thrown into LIAT.And the results would be the same.Why an old politician as the leader of LIAT.Why not employed someone with Management in the airline industry.Oh no,you appoint someone from the political old boys club.
Thank You We Enjoy reading this Special Newspaper,God Bless