Saturday, October 15, 2011

LIAT still looking at partnership with Caribbean Airlines

Though talks on building on the existing partnership with Caribbean Airlines (CAL) have been stalled, regional carrier LIAT is still keen on exploring possibilities with the Trinidad-based carrier.

“We can enhance our level of co-operation with CAL as we go forward. I think there are many areas where there’re still possibilities and I’m using this regional forum to really indicate LIAT’s continuing interest in co-operation with CAL and our desire to see that co-operation formalised in a mutually beneficial way for all concerned,” LIAT Chief Executive Officer Brian Challenger said.

Challenger gave no hints of a merger but instead embraced the idea of a “mutually beneficial” arrangement.

He acknowledged there were initial talks with the regional counterpart but no specific arrangements were discussed. He noted that the change of government in Trinidad and Tobago has delayed the discussions.

“We have not had any further discussion since last year,” Challenger told journalists at a media conference yesterday. “I think that the first few months I guess that administration was reviewing its own policy in relation to CAL globally. I know the merger with Air Jamaica would have been a critical element (and) would have consumed a lot of their time quite frankly and so we really have not had any further discussions with CAL.”

The airline executive said that LIAT is interested in building on the existing relationship with the Trinidadian carrier.

“One of the things that is seldom recognised is that we actually have quite a fair bit of co-operation on the ground in Port of Spain with CAL. We have an engineering base in Port of Spain and there’s a lot of exchange and co-operation at that level,” he said.

Expanding on the existing partnership is among a series of strategies outlined by LIAT’s management during yesterday’s media conference. The strategies include a more aggressive marketing campaign to specific groups, including seniors and students.

The press conference followed an extensive tour by regional journalists of LIAT’s Coolidge-based facilities. The goal was to foster a better understanding of its operations, including the technical and human resources needed for running the airline. Friday’s activities formed part of LIAT’s week of activities in honour of its 55th anniversary.

On Sunday, October 16 – LIAT’s official anniversary date – employees will join the congregation of the Holy Family Cathedral for an anniversary church service.

http://www.antiguaobserver.com

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