Business
LIAT launches service to Haiti, and expands expands Caribbean routes
The Antigua & Barbuda-based regional airline, LIAT (Leeward Islands Air Transport), Tuesday announced the launch of its inaugural service to Haiti as part of a major initiative to restructure its commercial activities to improve the performance of the cash-strapped airline.
LIAT said effective December 5, this year, it will launch services to the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and that “the new route will meet customer demand and provide connections for customers to travel within the Caribbean to and from this growing market”.
It said the new routes is part of the initiative to change its schedule periods from the 3 seasonal schedules currently produced to a standard IATA schedule, which covers 2 seasons.
The new winter schedule will come into effect on October 26 and run until 28 March 28, next year. “By maintaining the schedule for a longer period, it allows our customers to plan further ahead, as the routes and times of services are known,” the airline said, adding that whilst focusing on the regional market, attention has also been given to customers wishing to connect with international services to the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe.
LIAT said the new schedule has been designed to allow customers to connect with other carriers, such as British Airways, Virgin and Air France. “Establishing this base allows LIAT to start building alliances with other carriers and to strengthen its presence in those markets. The winter schedule includes the launch of a new destination as well as enhanced services and increased frequencies on a number of routes,” said the airline, whose shareholder governments are Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
According to the carrier, the new service to Haiti, Dominica will receive 8 additional flights per week, as well as a new direct service every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday between Antigua and Dominica.
Flights from San Juan to Dominica will operate with a nonstop service one way and via Antigua on the return to Dominica. The San Juan flight arrives into Antigua & Barbuda at 1610 to allow connections with international services to Europe.
