by Linda Straker
- Government finalised agreement with interCaribbean Airways
- One Caribbean, SVG Air about to include Grenada to their routes
Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell, has disclosed that Grenada will soon be reducing taxes on airline tickets as part of measures aimed at encouraging intra-regional travel within Caricom, as governments implement various strategies to encourage travel within the region.
Speaking on the pending liquidation of LIAT, Dr Mitchell said that there are other airlines which will be filling in the void left by LIAT which suspended its service in April after most regional states shut down airports as part of measures aimed at containing Covid-19. The first set of Covid-19 patients were all classified as imported, because they were visitors from mainly the United Kingdom, the USA and Canada.
LIAT which has served the region for more than 40 years, has been experiencing financial challenges before the onset of Covid-19 and the closure of the airports around the regions placed in the airline states in a more difficult position.
Most airports in the region re-opened as of 1 July for commercial passengers since closure in late March, but there is little or no regional commercial air traffic because there are few airlines offering services. The Eastern Caribbean is significantly affected by the non-availability of LIAT.
In an interview on Wednesday, Dr Mitchell said, “There is a combination of opportunities that will be available to ensure that we have, not just to replace what LIAT was bringing if it has not returned, but to have expanded opportunities.”
He said, “We expect with the additional transport to the individual countries in the region and the reduction of taxes in general and airport fees, in general, we will see further development of inter-island travel.”
Naming One Caribbean, SVG Air and interCaribbean as airlines which are about to include Grenada and other Eastern Caribbean territories to their routes, he said reducing airline taxes has become a necessity. “So far, some countries, and we will be following suit, have in fact taken the initiative to reduce the taxes on airline tickets already. We will be doing so in the not to distant future,” he said without providing a timeline for government to make such an announcement.
Tourism Minister, Clarice Modeste, has already confirmed that interCaribbean Airways, known for its services in the northern Caribbean, is one of the airlines with which government has finalised an agreement. The airline’s management has announced that it will be expanding its services to the Eastern Caribbean.
The regional Civil Aviation Authority which is based in Antigua has also provided the necessary approval for these regional airlines to expand to other islands. These regional carriers are expected to make Barbados their hub for the Eastern Caribbean service.
I sympathize with the workers of LIAT for their loss of employment and I do hope that such workers were able to re-invent their careers during their struggles and many strikes to obtain their paycheck s from LIAT. The second meaning of LIAT is: Love Is Always There but it was not the case for the employees and frequent travelwrs like myself.. I can write volumes on the horrors of LIAT’s provision of services to the reigon.. Change has finally come and LIAT is no longer with us… HOORAY!!!! HOORAY!!!! LIAT IS GONE!!! THE REDUCTIOM IN TICKET TAXES, OTHER AIRLINES PICKING UP THE DECEASED LIAT’s ROUTE S IS A WELCOME AND REFRESHING SIGN OF THE LING OVERDUE CHANGES WE NEED TO PROGRESS AS WE ENTER THE ‘NEW NORMAL’ IN THE CARIBBEAN REGION. LOVE TO OUR HONOURABLE l Dr. The Right Keith Mitchel.
I am pleased to hear the airport will be open to international passengers from the United kingdom without to many restrictions and changes.
I am so longing to see my father, as I am sure there are many worried about there family too.
Thank you
Why did’ you not post my comment you Stooges
Talk,talk ,talk as usual promise’s promise’s just like he talked about Oil discovery still no Oil so again you. People sit and waite TAX relife Really?
Foolish. Bring back Liat
I cannot wait.Good job
Lovely Mr pm!
Whatever the positive vibes, there WILL be a catches because things can never be the same again. A magnifying glass to study the finest print, would be a wise investment.