St. Vincent puts a hold on funds for LIAT Until Service Improves

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent and the Grenadines– One of LIAT’s major shareholder governments, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has told the beleaguered airline that it won’t be getting a cent more until service to the island is “significantly improved”.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines made its position clear on the heels of a meeting with representatives of the beleaguered regional carrier in Kingstown on Wednesday. While he has often defended LIAT in the past, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves appeared to have reached the end of his rope with poor service to the island in recent weeks, and his administration had demanded the meeting to discuss the matter.

During that meeting, the St. Vincent officials highlighted the various challenges facing the travelling public, including lack of information on delays and cancellation of flights.

In a statement issued by Prime Minister Gonsalves’ office on Thursday the government – which had recently been approached by LIAT for EC$810,000 (US$300,000) to assist in its operations – said it was expecting improved service very soon.

It disclosed that LIAT had agreed to review the schedule of flights in and out of the country within a week to better serve the public; review the turnaround time of aircraft to reduce delays; consider a return of a direct Puerto Rico-St Vincent and the Grenadines flight; and improve customer service by providing more information to the travelling public regarding delays and cancellations.

The statement said both the government and LIAT were satisfied with the outcome of the discussions and travellers “should look forward to an enhanced service as promised by LIAT”.