Business
Regional carrier LIAT warns of further disruptions in service
The regional airline (Leeward Islands Air Transport) LIAT yesterday warned passengers to brace for more travelling disruptions this week after one of its new aircraft was grounded “as a result of a technical issue”.
In a statement, the airline told passengers that “its operations continue to be affected by numerous challenges throughout its network” and that despite the re-fleeting exercise, LIAT continues to operate its scheduled passenger and cargo service and carry out scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on its entire fleet of aircraft including the Dash 8 and new ATR 72.
“LIAT is also responding to traditionally high demand during the summer peak. This combination of factors has resulted in significant challenges for the company exacerbated by the grounding of one of the company’s new ATR aircraft in Barbados Sunday as a result of a technical issue.”
The airline said the French-made aircraft “is likely to remain out of service for the remainder of this week as the matter is being addressed.
“The technical issue concerns a higher than normal oil consumption. The safety of our passengers and crew is of paramount importance and as such the Aircraft will only be returned to service after the issue is resolved.”
LIAT said that recent “staff issues” in Dominica and Barbados have further exacerbated the challenges and “while the company is doing everything to minimize the effects on its customers, they are being advised that for the coming days further disruptions to the schedule are likely to take place.
“LIAT will continue to make every effort to mitigate the disruptions. We will also continue to issue timely, informative and up-to-date Passenger Communication Advisories at all stations” through its social media sites and directly to customers.
