ANTIGUA-AVIATION-LIAT Responds To Speculation Over Staff Cuts

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, October 30, 2014, CNS LIAT is about to embark on its annual budget planning exercise and to put in place its operational plans for 2015.

As a result of the airline's fleet transition programme LIAT will be a smaller airline in 2015 than in 2014, operating a fleet of nine aircraft as opposed to 11 in 2014.

LIAT Chief Executive Officer David Evans said: "Like any responsible business we have to examine our cost base and if we fly fewer aircraft in 2015 than in 2014, we also need to reduce our costs to reflect this. We have also been mandated by our Board of Directors to ensure that our costs reflect the level of activity that we carry out. It is too early to say what impact there may be on jobs as a result of this, and the company will consult with its staff and their representatives over its plans before making any announcement."

CNS/db/2014