Leeward Islands Air Transport
Encyclopedia
Leeward Islands Air Transport, known as LIAT, is an airline
headquartered on the grounds of V. C. Bird International Airport in Saint George Parish
, Antigua
. It operates high-frequency interisland scheduled services serving 22 destinations in the Caribbean
. The airline's main base is VC Bird International Airport, Antigua and Barbuda
, with bases at Grantley Adams International Airport
, Barbados
and Piarco International Airport
, Trinidad and Tobago
.
and Montserrat
. With the acquisition in 1957 of 75% of the airline by the larger, better known BWIA, LIAT was able to expand to other Caribbean destinations and to obtain new aircraft types, such as the Beechcraft Bonanza
and de Havilland Heron
airplanes. Hawker Siddeley HS 748s came in 1965, due to the airline's decision to phase out the Herons.
LIAT wasn't always an all propeller engined airline: after Court Line
. obtained 75% of the airline in 1971, LIAT entered the jet age, using BAC One Elevens for its longer Caribbean routes, along with Britten-Norman
types.
Court Line went bankrupt in August 1974, and the BAC-One Elevens were gone from the LIAT fleet as well. In order to keep the airline flying, the governments of 11 Caribbean nations stepped in and bought the airline. The jets were replaced with a series of smaller types, such as the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
s.
The 1980s were a decade of growth for the airline: by 1986, many daily flights were operated to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
in San Juan, Puerto Rico
, as well as other regions that the airline had never flown to. Faster Dash 8-100s were bought, to reduce flight times system-wide.
In November 1995, LIAT was partially privatized, to save it from bankruptcy once again. LIAT also began to fly the 50-seater Dash 8-300 series of the Dash 8.
, and they entered into a commercial alliance, involving the flying of a combined schedule. All flights were marketed as LIAT, although the airlines continued to operate separately using their own air operators certificates, until after completion of the merger. The merged airline will use the LIAT brand with a merged fleet which is standardised on the Bombardier Dash 8 Q300.
However in June 2007, the Share Holder Governments of Barbados, Antigua and St. Vincent gave the go ahead to the Board of Directors to buy out Caribbean Star instead. LIAT purchased Caribbean Star Airlines on the 24 October 2007 and five of Caribbean Star's DHC-8 aircraft have been transferred to LIAT. As another result of the merger, LIAT changed its slogan to "LIAT, Star of the Caribbean", which was used as the slogan for a short time, and was then changed back to "THE Caribbean Airline".
, the national airline of Trinidad and Tobago, was also offered the option to be another shareholder in LIAT, but the Government of Prime Minister
Patrick Manning
rejected the offer.
The need for the new base arises from LIAT having to overnight a minimum of 18 crewmembers every night in hotels in Port-of-Spain at an annual cost of over US$1 million. The opening of a base in Trinidad is a part of the company’s attempts to respond to the dynamics of regional inter-island traffic, including Trinidad’s significance as a business and commercial centre for the southern Caribbean.
The management of LIAT, although not required by law or contract, has retained professional accounting and consulting services firm PriceWaterhouse Coopers (PWC) to undertake a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) study to assess any differentials in costs that might arise for pilots and flight attendants as a result of having to be based in Trinidad. The PWC study specifically included costs associated with the increased security risks associated with Trinidad. A similar study, without the security risk factors, was done when LIAT successfully re-established its Barbados base in May 2001.
LIAT’s management wishes to emphasize that it remains committed to the safety, security and general welfare of its staff. The company expects to continue its discussions with the unions representing the Flight Attendants and Pilots in order to establish a base in Trinidad.
The youngest Q300s currently available are eight years old, providing an improvement over LIAT's current Q300s. LIAT's Q300s are now 14 to 19 years-old. Switching the entire fleet to ATR 42
/ATR 72
s is also being looked at but Challenger says LIAT will most likely stick with Dash 8s. The Chinese government is also offering Xian MA60
s through government-to-government channels. "The China government is very keen on making aircraft available," he says. "The financing wouldn't be a challenge but support issues are high. It's really unlikely we'd go that way." He adds another challenge for the MA60s is that the aircraft has not yet been certified in the US or the Caribbean. He points out public confidence in Chinese-built aircraft is also low. He adds LIAT also prefers not to switch to a new aircraft type because any transition would require operating a mixed fleet for a few years.
LIAT currently connects 22 destinations throughout the Caribbean with most flights operated using 50-seat Q300s. While some routes can potentially support 70-seat Q400s (such as Antigua to Barbados, Trinidad, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Guyana and as well as launching new flights to Cuba and Jamaica), Challenger says switching to an all-Q400 fleet is not an option because it has several routes which can only be sustained with the 50-seat and 37-seat aircraft. Challenger says 50-seat aircraft remain the ideal aircraft size for most of LIAT's routes. He says 37-seat aircraft are also needed for very small markets such as St. Kitts and Nevis.
It has not been stated how many Q400s would potentially be required and whether LIAT would opt to acquire new or second-hand aircraft. Challenger's predecessor, Mark Darby stated in November 2008 that LIAT could potentially use three to four Q400s but most of the carrier's Q300 fleet would need to be replaced with similarly sized 50-seat aircraft.
LIAT owns its three Dash 8-100s, that are about 19 to 21-years old. LIAT is now in the process of converting one of these into a freighter. Challenger says LIAT will also consider converting a second Dash 8-100 into a freighter but it plans to continue to operate the third aircraft on its thinnest passenger routes.
If LIAT proceeds with its plans, the airline will be the first and only Q400 operator in the Caribbean region.
, which also uses Antigua & Barbuda as its hub. On July 11, 2008, LIAT had to temporarily suspend its arrangement with Carib Aviation
, due to the recent grounding of two of Carib Aviation
's six aircraft by the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA).
Both airlines later agreed that from August 16, 2008 the existing codeshare and wet-lease arrangements would be terminated but a new arrangement was planned, whereby LIAT would make Carib Aviation
flights available through its reservations system. The agreement was canceled due to Carib Aviation
's decision to suspend all service effective September 30, 2008. Following the suspension of operations, LIAT discontinued its marketing of Carib Aviation
tickets.
LIAT will also begin all cargo services with a Dash 8-100, which is currently being converted from a passenger aircraft to a full-fledged cargo aircraft. Once the new cargo service comes on stream, customers for the first time will be able to book cargo online on the company’s web site. Already, there has been considerable interest by regional manufacturers, agricultural exporters and other traders in the start-up of the service.
The introduction of its new cargo service is planned for later this year.
The airline's poor reputation has earned them the nickname "Leave Island Any Time."
As of 2009, the average fleet age of LIAT was 17.6 years.
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
headquartered on the grounds of V. C. Bird International Airport in Saint George Parish
Saint George Parish, Antigua and Barbuda
Saint George is a parish of Antigua and Barbuda on the island of Antigua. It includes Long Island and the localities of Barnes Hill, Marble Hill, Crosbies, Hodges Bay, Paradise View, Coolidge, Carlisle, Fitches Creek, Osbourn, Pigotts, New Winthorpes, Picadilly, Gunthorpes, Sea View Farm and...
, Antigua
Antigua
Antigua , also known as Waladli, is an island in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region, the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua means "ancient" in Spanish and was named by Christopher Columbus after an icon in Seville Cathedral, Santa Maria de la...
. It operates high-frequency interisland scheduled services serving 22 destinations in the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. The airline's main base is VC Bird International Airport, Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island nation lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of two major inhabited islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and a number of smaller islands...
, with bases at Grantley Adams International Airport
Grantley Adams International Airport
Grantley Adams International Airport , is found in Seawell, Christ Church on the island of Barbados. The former name of the airport was Seawell Airport before being dedicated in honour of the first Premier of Barbados, Sir Grantley Herbert Adams in 1976. The airport's timezone is GMT –4, and is...
, Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
and Piarco International Airport
Piarco International Airport
Piarco International Airport is the main airport serving Trinidad and Tobago located in Piarco, a town in northern Trinidad, about east of the capital city, Port of Spain. It is one of two international airports serving the twin isle republic. The other is located on the island of Tobago, A.N.R...
, Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
.
History
Leeward Islands Air Transport Services was founded on 20 September 1956 and began flying with a single Piper Apache operating between AntiguaAntigua
Antigua , also known as Waladli, is an island in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region, the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua means "ancient" in Spanish and was named by Christopher Columbus after an icon in Seville Cathedral, Santa Maria de la...
and Montserrat
Montserrat
Montserrat is a British overseas territory located in the Leeward Islands, part of the chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles in the West Indies. This island measures approximately long and wide, giving of coastline...
. With the acquisition in 1957 of 75% of the airline by the larger, better known BWIA, LIAT was able to expand to other Caribbean destinations and to obtain new aircraft types, such as the Beechcraft Bonanza
Beechcraft Bonanza
The Beechcraft Bonanza is an American general aviation aircraft introduced in 1947 by The Beech Aircraft Corporation of Wichita, Kansas. , it is still being produced by Hawker Beechcraft, and has been in continuous production longer than any other airplane in history...
and de Havilland Heron
De Havilland Heron
The de Havilland DH.114 Heron was a small, propeller-driven British airliner that first flew on 10 May 1950. It was a development of the twin-engine de Havilland Dove, with a stretched fuselage and two more engines. It was designed as a rugged, conventional low-wing monoplane with tricycle...
airplanes. Hawker Siddeley HS 748s came in 1965, due to the airline's decision to phase out the Herons.
LIAT wasn't always an all propeller engined airline: after Court Line
Court Line
Court Line was a prominent British holiday charter airline during the early 1970s based at Luton Airport in Bedfordshire. It also provided bus services in Luton and surrounding areas....
. obtained 75% of the airline in 1971, LIAT entered the jet age, using BAC One Elevens for its longer Caribbean routes, along with Britten-Norman
Britten-Norman
Britten-Norman is a British aircraft manufacturer owned by members of the Zawawi family from the Sultanate of Oman, making it the last remaining UK independent commercial aircraft producer....
types.
Court Line went bankrupt in August 1974, and the BAC-One Elevens were gone from the LIAT fleet as well. In order to keep the airline flying, the governments of 11 Caribbean nations stepped in and bought the airline. The jets were replaced with a series of smaller types, such as the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
The DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
s.
The 1980s were a decade of growth for the airline: by 1986, many daily flights were operated to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located in Carolina, Puerto Rico, three miles southeast of San Juan. Over 4 million passengers board a plane at the airport per year according to FAA reports . It is owned and managed by the Puerto Rico Ports...
in San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, as well as other regions that the airline had never flown to. Faster Dash 8-100s were bought, to reduce flight times system-wide.
In November 1995, LIAT was partially privatized, to save it from bankruptcy once again. LIAT also began to fly the 50-seater Dash 8-300 series of the Dash 8.
Merger with Caribbean Star
In January 2007 the airline announced an intended merger with Caribbean Star AirlinesCaribbean Star Airlines
Caribbean Star Airlines was an airline based in Antigua and Barbuda. It operated scheduled passenger services in conjunction with Leeward Islands Air Transport to destinations in the eastern Caribbean...
, and they entered into a commercial alliance, involving the flying of a combined schedule. All flights were marketed as LIAT, although the airlines continued to operate separately using their own air operators certificates, until after completion of the merger. The merged airline will use the LIAT brand with a merged fleet which is standardised on the Bombardier Dash 8 Q300.
However in June 2007, the Share Holder Governments of Barbados, Antigua and St. Vincent gave the go ahead to the Board of Directors to buy out Caribbean Star instead. LIAT purchased Caribbean Star Airlines on the 24 October 2007 and five of Caribbean Star's DHC-8 aircraft have been transferred to LIAT. As another result of the merger, LIAT changed its slogan to "LIAT, Star of the Caribbean", which was used as the slogan for a short time, and was then changed back to "THE Caribbean Airline".
Future Merger Prospects
The airline is owned by 7 Caribbean governments, with 3 being the Major shareholders (73.4%); private shareholders (10%); and employees (5.3%). It has 673 employees (at March 2007).The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, which also is the sole shareholder of another regional carrier, Caribbean AirlinesCaribbean Airlines
Caribbean Airlines Limited operating as Caribbean Airlines is the national airline of Trinidad and Tobago. The airline is also flag carrier to Jamaica through its subsidiary, Caribbean Airlines-Air Jamaica Transition Limited or Air Jamaica....
, the national airline of Trinidad and Tobago, was also offered the option to be another shareholder in LIAT, but the Government of Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Patrick Manning
Patrick Manning
Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning was the fourth and sixth Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the former Political Leader of the People's National Movement . He served as Prime Minister from 17 December 1991 to 9 November 1995 and held that office again from 24 December 2001 until 26...
rejected the offer.
New Base
For the past two years LIAT and the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) and the Leeward Islands Flight Attendants Association (LIFAA), the groups representing the airline’s pilots and cabin crew, have been engaged in talks about establishing a base in Trinidad.The need for the new base arises from LIAT having to overnight a minimum of 18 crewmembers every night in hotels in Port-of-Spain at an annual cost of over US$1 million. The opening of a base in Trinidad is a part of the company’s attempts to respond to the dynamics of regional inter-island traffic, including Trinidad’s significance as a business and commercial centre for the southern Caribbean.
The management of LIAT, although not required by law or contract, has retained professional accounting and consulting services firm PriceWaterhouse Coopers (PWC) to undertake a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) study to assess any differentials in costs that might arise for pilots and flight attendants as a result of having to be based in Trinidad. The PWC study specifically included costs associated with the increased security risks associated with Trinidad. A similar study, without the security risk factors, was done when LIAT successfully re-established its Barbados base in May 2001.
LIAT’s management wishes to emphasize that it remains committed to the safety, security and general welfare of its staff. The company expects to continue its discussions with the unions representing the Flight Attendants and Pilots in order to establish a base in Trinidad.
Fleet and Cargo operations
LIAT is currently looking at acquiring Bombardier Dash 8 Q400s as part of a new study into future aircraft alternatives. Acting chief executive Brian Challenger says the carrier has initiated an evaluation of new turboprops and plans to hire a consultant to help it evaluate its options.The youngest Q300s currently available are eight years old, providing an improvement over LIAT's current Q300s. LIAT's Q300s are now 14 to 19 years-old. Switching the entire fleet to ATR 42
ATR 42
-Civil operators:The largest operators of the ATR-42 are FedEx Express, Airlinair, TRIP Linhas Aéreas,and Mexico City-based Aeromar respectively. Number of aircraft as of 2010:Some 70 other airlines operate smaller numbers of the type....
/ATR 72
ATR 72
The ATR 72 is a twin-engine turboprop short-haul regional airliner built by the French-Italian aircraft manufacturer ATR. ATR and Airbus are both built in Toulouse, and share resources and technology...
s is also being looked at but Challenger says LIAT will most likely stick with Dash 8s. The Chinese government is also offering Xian MA60
Xian MA60
|-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* * *...
s through government-to-government channels. "The China government is very keen on making aircraft available," he says. "The financing wouldn't be a challenge but support issues are high. It's really unlikely we'd go that way." He adds another challenge for the MA60s is that the aircraft has not yet been certified in the US or the Caribbean. He points out public confidence in Chinese-built aircraft is also low. He adds LIAT also prefers not to switch to a new aircraft type because any transition would require operating a mixed fleet for a few years.
LIAT currently connects 22 destinations throughout the Caribbean with most flights operated using 50-seat Q300s. While some routes can potentially support 70-seat Q400s (such as Antigua to Barbados, Trinidad, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Guyana and as well as launching new flights to Cuba and Jamaica), Challenger says switching to an all-Q400 fleet is not an option because it has several routes which can only be sustained with the 50-seat and 37-seat aircraft. Challenger says 50-seat aircraft remain the ideal aircraft size for most of LIAT's routes. He says 37-seat aircraft are also needed for very small markets such as St. Kitts and Nevis.
It has not been stated how many Q400s would potentially be required and whether LIAT would opt to acquire new or second-hand aircraft. Challenger's predecessor, Mark Darby stated in November 2008 that LIAT could potentially use three to four Q400s but most of the carrier's Q300 fleet would need to be replaced with similarly sized 50-seat aircraft.
LIAT owns its three Dash 8-100s, that are about 19 to 21-years old. LIAT is now in the process of converting one of these into a freighter. Challenger says LIAT will also consider converting a second Dash 8-100 into a freighter but it plans to continue to operate the third aircraft on its thinnest passenger routes.
If LIAT proceeds with its plans, the airline will be the first and only Q400 operator in the Caribbean region.
Codeshare agreements
LIAT's services to Anguilla, Antigua, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat and St. Vincent are codeshared with Carib AviationCarib Aviation
- History :Founded in 1972 with a single prop engine aircraft, Carib Aviation provided charter and scheduled flights throughout the Caribbean from its main base in Antigua. The company employed 63 personnel, including some 15 pilots and 22 engineering staff...
, which also uses Antigua & Barbuda as its hub. On July 11, 2008, LIAT had to temporarily suspend its arrangement with Carib Aviation
Carib Aviation
- History :Founded in 1972 with a single prop engine aircraft, Carib Aviation provided charter and scheduled flights throughout the Caribbean from its main base in Antigua. The company employed 63 personnel, including some 15 pilots and 22 engineering staff...
, due to the recent grounding of two of Carib Aviation
Carib Aviation
- History :Founded in 1972 with a single prop engine aircraft, Carib Aviation provided charter and scheduled flights throughout the Caribbean from its main base in Antigua. The company employed 63 personnel, including some 15 pilots and 22 engineering staff...
's six aircraft by the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA).
Both airlines later agreed that from August 16, 2008 the existing codeshare and wet-lease arrangements would be terminated but a new arrangement was planned, whereby LIAT would make Carib Aviation
Carib Aviation
- History :Founded in 1972 with a single prop engine aircraft, Carib Aviation provided charter and scheduled flights throughout the Caribbean from its main base in Antigua. The company employed 63 personnel, including some 15 pilots and 22 engineering staff...
flights available through its reservations system. The agreement was canceled due to Carib Aviation
Carib Aviation
- History :Founded in 1972 with a single prop engine aircraft, Carib Aviation provided charter and scheduled flights throughout the Caribbean from its main base in Antigua. The company employed 63 personnel, including some 15 pilots and 22 engineering staff...
's decision to suspend all service effective September 30, 2008. Following the suspension of operations, LIAT discontinued its marketing of Carib Aviation
Carib Aviation
- History :Founded in 1972 with a single prop engine aircraft, Carib Aviation provided charter and scheduled flights throughout the Caribbean from its main base in Antigua. The company employed 63 personnel, including some 15 pilots and 22 engineering staff...
tickets.
Cargo services
LIAT also provides cargo services, with its service called Quikpak. This service provides Airport-to-Airport & Door-to-Door, customs cleared delivery service throughout the Caribbean. The delivery time is typically within one to two days, guaranteed by the LIAT staff.LIAT will also begin all cargo services with a Dash 8-100, which is currently being converted from a passenger aircraft to a full-fledged cargo aircraft. Once the new cargo service comes on stream, customers for the first time will be able to book cargo online on the company’s web site. Already, there has been considerable interest by regional manufacturers, agricultural exporters and other traders in the start-up of the service.
The introduction of its new cargo service is planned for later this year.
Destinations
LIAT provides service in the Eastern Caribbean region from Santo Domingo Dominican Republic in the north to Georgetown Guyana in the south, linking the chain of islands in between.Incidents & Accidents
- On August 23, 1959, a LIAT de Havilland DH-114 Heron 2BDe Havilland HeronThe de Havilland DH.114 Heron was a small, propeller-driven British airliner that first flew on 10 May 1950. It was a development of the twin-engine de Havilland Dove, with a stretched fuselage and two more engines. It was designed as a rugged, conventional low-wing monoplane with tricycle...
crashed on landing in St. Kitts. The aircraft was en-route between St. Johns, Antigua and St. Kitts. After landing, it overran the runway and was damaged beyond repair. No one was seriously injured and there were no fatalities.
- On August 4, 1986, a LIAT de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterDe Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterThe DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
crashed into the Caribbean Sea. The aircraft was en-route between St. Lucia and St. Vincent when it crashed due to poor weather conditions, while on approach. After a full day's search failed to find a trace of the Twin Otter, all of the 11 passengers and two crew were presumed dead.
- On December 2, 2010, LIAT flight LI362, a BombardierBombardier AerospaceBombardier Aerospace is a division of Bombardier Inc. and is the third-largest airplane manufacturer in the world. It is headquartered in Dorval, Quebec, Canada.- History :...
Dash 8-Q300 carrying 24 passengers, en-route to San Juan, Puerto RicoSan Juan, Puerto RicoSan Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
made an emergency landing at the V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua after a losing a wheel from one of the main landing gear. As a precautionary measure, emergency services were placed on standby. The aircraft landed safely with no major damage or any injuries to the passengers or crew.
Reputation
LIAT has a very poor reputation among both locals and visitors. Their flights often operate irregularly, with inconsistent arrival and departure times (both late and sometimes early, even if all ticketed passengers are not on-board). Baggage is often misdirected or not loaded entirely. They are known for having very poor customer service, and their staff is surly and unhelpful. These problems have been exacerbated with the 2010 strikes - with many flights canceled and passengers stranded and unable to receive refunds.The airline's poor reputation has earned them the nickname "Leave Island Any Time."
Fleet
The LIAT fleet includes the following aircraft (at 2009):| Aircraft | Total | Passengers (Economy) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bombardier Dash 8-100 | 3 | 37 | One converted to cargo cofiguration, with plans for a second aircraft to also be converted |
| Bombardier Dash 8-300 | 15 | 50 |
As of 2009, the average fleet age of LIAT was 17.6 years.
Previously operated
The LIAT retired fleet includes the following aircraft:- BAC One-ElevenBAC One-ElevenThe British Aircraft Corporation One-Eleven, also known as the BAC-111, BAC-1-11 or BAC 1-11, was a British short-range jet airliner of the 1960s and 1970s...
- Britten-Norman BN-2 IslanderBritten-Norman IslanderThe Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander is a 1960s British light utility aircraft, regional airliner and cargo aircraft designed and originally manufactured by Britten-Norman of the United Kingdom. The Islander is one of the best-selling commercial aircraft types produced in Europe. Although designed in...
- De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterDe Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterThe DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
- de Havilland DH-114 HeronDe Havilland HeronThe de Havilland DH.114 Heron was a small, propeller-driven British airliner that first flew on 10 May 1950. It was a development of the twin-engine de Havilland Dove, with a stretched fuselage and two more engines. It was designed as a rugged, conventional low-wing monoplane with tricycle...
- Hawker Siddeley HS 748