By Kenicia Francis
[email protected]
June is the latest deadline given for when LIAT 2020 will start its commercial flights.
The government previously said LIAT 2020 was due to launch by the end of April, with officials hoping Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) would expedite the approval process for the Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) once the plane has passed the second round of test flights.
However, during the post Cabinet press briefing on Friday, Minister of Information Melford Nicholas said, “the long wait is over. I would say it’s fair to expect, before the end of May, and certainly during the month of June, that LIAT 2020 will be in the skies.”
He was unable to predict which routes would be opened, but added: “I imagine they’ll start with the more profitable routes.”
He claims there is a fellow OECS country interested in the ownership of other side development currently in the works.
“I imagine others will follow. Success breeds a type of success, so it’s a good thing that we’re in this position,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace Caribbean Ltd in Antigua, Hafsah Abdul-Salam stated she still cannot give a concrete date for when the airline will begin commercial flights.
However, she’s optimistic that commercial flights will begin shortly after the ECCAA approves the certification.
“Unfortunately, I can’t give you a specific date, but it is around the corner. We’re just in the final phase of our AOC process. We’re hoping we can close that final phase by next week.” she said.