Gonsalves has plans to rescue regional air travel

PRIME MINISTER, Dr Ralph Gonsalves says he has a proposal which could possibly help restore regional air transportation to its pre-covid days.

Many persons who are now faced with inter- regional travel problems have spoken about missing the services of LIAT; among them, entertainer, Gamal “Skinny Fabulous” Doyle.

In a call to WE FM’s Issues at Hand programme on Sunday, June 19 the prime minister said he has a proposal “to put to the table.”

He disclosed that his proposal involves other OECS member states and possibly, Guyana.

Gonsalves, who has been the longest serving chairman of LIAT, said people are now calling on him to bring back the regional airline.

He charged that the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) is in the habit of opposing everything that is good for the country, including LIAT.

“They opposed LIAT tooth and nail,” Gonsalves recalled.

He however said the opposition is not the reason why he did not continue with LIAT, which the St Vincent and the Grenadines government, a part owner, had been subsidising.

LIAT went into receivership in June, 2020 following a series of difficult months due to COVID-19; it was reformed as a new entity now being operated by the government of Antigua and Barbuda.

Gonsalves also blamed the behaviour of some of LIAT’s pilots, flight attendants and engineers for its difficulties.