LIAT airplanes were back in the skies yesterday after being grounded for two days due to industrial action by pilots.
The flyers had reported sick Wednesday and Thursday to protest the apparent refusal by management to address outstanding issues, including retroactive holiday pay and pension funds.
However, yesterday LIAT, in an advisory posted on the airline’s web page, announced the resumption of operations and admitted it was forced to cancel Wednesday and Thursday flights , because of industrial action pilots who are represented by the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA).
LIAT notified all affected passengers that they are being allowed to rebook without additional costs but said the company cannot guarantee travel to those who arrive at airports without confirmed bookings.
As such, travellers were advised to contact the LIAT Antigua Call Centre to rebook their flights on telephone number 480-5582; toll free from the rest of the Caribbean on 1-888-844-5428 and, from Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, on 1-866-549-5428.
LIAT said further that, while the company is doing everything to minimise the effect on passengers, they were advised that, for the rest of yesterday, they should expect delays.
LIAT, headquartered in Antigua, has expressed regret and apologised to its customers/passengers who were affected by the disruption of its services, for the inconvenience.