A former CEO of the airline Liat, says a collaborative effort between regional government shareholders is the airline’s only fighting chance at survival.

David Evans, who abruptly resigned as CEO back in 2016, said the COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed the airline’s importance in serving the region’s needs.

In an open letter, Evans said that he was “enormoulsly impressed by LIAT’s role in providing life-line services during these desperate, difficult days. Repatriation flights and critical cargo flights are an example of LIAT at its finest.”

It’s a concern that was raised during the 30th Caricom meeting in St Kitts and Nevis in 2019. 

While Trinidad and Tobago is not heavily dependent on the inter-Caribbean airline for transportation, other territories like Barbados, Dominica, Antigua and St Vincent are “virtually at the mercy of a LIAT service” according to Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, who made the comment upon his return from the Caricom meeting last year. 

Trinidad and Tobago currently holds 1% shares in the Airline.