COVID-19 forces LIAT to reduce flight schedule

Regional airline, LIAT says it is continuing to fly across the region but will reduce its flight schedule by 40% commencing today, Sunday.

The reduced schedule is in response to the decline in travel as well as travel restrictions and border closures imposed by governments of destinations into which LIAT operates, the airline said.

 The new schedule will run until April 30.

The new schedule will see a 40% reduction in the number of flights operated by the carrier following a significant decline in travel due to COVID-19.

LIAT had already suspended flights into Guyana due to border closures and will this weekend suspend service to Trinidad, Martinique, Guadeloupe and St. Maarten.

Chief Executive Officer, Julie Reifer-Jones expressed her concern about the dynamic situation with the imposition of travel bans and border closures.

LIAT said that as a result, it quickly amended its schedule to ensure that it could remain flying and connecting the region.

Reifer-Jones also highlighted that LIAT was doing its part by ensuring several measures were in place to protect employees and passengers. These include ensuring aircraft are cleaned to global cleaning standards, following the directives of the Caribbean Public Heath Agency and World Health Organization and collaborating with local public health authorities.

The airline was assisting customers by waiving penalties for cancellations and changes on bookings.

Reifer-Jones explained that this was an extremely challenging time for the airline, its employees and other stakeholders. She disclosed that the airline is in on-going discussions with stakeholders, including its union partners, to ensure that measures were in place to keep LIAT flying throughout this crisis.

In addition, the airline’s board of directors is in direct communication with regional governments to secure concessions and waivers.

“LIAT will closely monitor this rapidly changing situation and issue regular advisories to the public. The airline remains committed to flying and ensuring that our region is connected. We would like to thank our staff, customers and stakeholders for their loyalty and understanding during this unprecedented time,” the airline said.