One of the Caribbean region’s most iconic airlines, LIAT (1974) will be grounded permanently on January 24, according to its court-appointed administrator who confirmed the information yesterday, January 4.

According to Barbados Today more than 90 employees are to be sent home without any payment and a promise that obligations will be met. The news was conveyed in a letter signed by the administrator, Cleveland Seaforth, and dated Thursday, a copy of which was obtained by the news outlet.

It is believed that the company is working towards readying its replacement, the proposed LIAT (2020) Limited, said one of the last remaining employees.

The notice closes yet another chapter in the storied life of the Eastern Caribbean’s oldest carrier, which was founded as Leeward Islands Air Transport in October 1956 by Kittitian airline captain Frank Delisle.

“After careful consideration and evaluation of the present operations, a decision has been taken by the court-appointed Administrator to permanently cease all commercial flying operations as of close of business on January 24, 2024,” said the letter by Seaforth who had been retained to run a scaled-down LIAT which collapsed in 2020, leaving hundreds jobless across the region.

“As a result of the foregoing, you are hereby notified that your employment with LIAT (1974) Limited (in administration) will be made redundant effective February 4, 2024.”

Seaforth also told the staff the company was not in a position to make any severance payments at this stage, but declared that it would not be shying away from its obligations to them on severance, vacation pay, retroactive pay and any outstanding salaries.

“The company recognises its obligation as it relates to any of the [aforementioned] applicable entitlements, which will be provided to you under separate cover within 45 days of this letter after the respective computations have been completed,” the letter further stated.