Beleaguered LIAT plans more job cuts

Cash strapped Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT) has scheduled a meeting for Friday with all the unions within its system to discuss plans to reduce costs.

The main item on the agenda of Friday’s meeting will include discussions about new staff cuts.

Senator David Massiah, the Secretary General of Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union (ABWU), has confirmed that the airline does plan on job cuts, however, he did not specify how many workers or what areas of operation would be affected.

LIAT recorded losses of up to EC$21.5 million (US$ 8 million) during the first half of this year and reintroduced a fuel surcharge in August due to the increasing price of fuel.

Earlier this year, workers throughout the company were offered the option of voluntary severance and early retirement.

The airline also closed its City Ticketing Offices across the region to save US$3 million annually.