St. John's -- Jan. 15, 2009 -- LIAT on Thursday released details of the impact the recent ‘flow control’ implemented by Air Traffic Controllers at the V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua had on its operations.

Figures provided by the Antigua-based regional air carrier show that in excess of 130 flights were cancelled during the period 19th December 2008 to 05th January  2009 before any ‘relaxation’ of the flow control was felt.

“Expenses to LIAT amounted to more than US$400,000.00” Corporate Communications Manager Desmond Brown said.

“These expenses relate to meals and accommodation provided for the many inconvenienced passengers throughout the network for which we were liable as a consequence of the delays and cancellations that ensued”.

Brown said that LIAT’s Antigua station was the most affected with 26 flight cancellations and more than 80 per cent of the daily departures delayed for more than an hour.

The Air Traffic Controllers said that the ‘flow control restrictions’, which were in effect from the middle of December to early January, were a necessary safety measure during the busy holiday period.
 

Contact:   Desmond Brown
Company Name:  LIAT (1974) Ltd.
Telephone Number:  1-268-764-5257
Email Address:  brownd@liatairline.com
Web site address:  www.liat.com