Following reports of faulty landing gear discovered during test flights of a recently acquired LIAT 2020 aircraft, officials have moved quickly to purchase new parts.
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, confirmed the reports over the weekend but assured that new parts have been sourced.
“Last weekend, they did some test flights, and I am told that the plane had to change the landing gear and the engine, I believe one part of it came in this week, and another part it is supposed to come in on Tuesday. So, from next week, they will continue those test flights and as ECCAA review those various manuals, we’re hoping they can expedite them and they can complete them within the next couple of weeks,” he said.
The airline must undergo this process to obtain its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) before commencing regular scheduled flights.
Additionally, Browne acknowledged that the other two aircraft the government seeks to purchase from the Caribbean Development Bank will also require extensive repairs before being deemed airworthy.
“The two of them are not quite airworthy, and they have to be refurbished, and they need new landing gear and other aspects,” he added while indicated that US$10 million will be spent to do so.
LIAT 2020 emerges as the successor to LIAT 1974. The new airline is a partnership between regional governments and Nigerian airline Air Peace, which owns 70 per cent of its shares.
