Pilots at the regional airline Liat took strike action yesterday which disrupted the airline's services.In a statement, Liat told passengers that owing to action taken by its pilots' trade union, the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association, pilots who were scheduled to fly yesterday did not report for duty.
In response to the disruption, which left scores of passengers stranded at various airports across the Caribbean, Clint Williams, corporate communications manager of Caribbean Airlines (CAL), said in a telephone interview yesterday the airline moved in to fill the gap."We will do anything possible for our Caribbean passengers to make connections to international flights. We hope that (the Liat strike) is resolved in the shortest possible time," Williams said from London, England.
CAL, he said, would make a comprehensive statement on the issue today.Liat's statement said: "The company has not been provided with the required notification of industrial action as required under its agreement with the pilots."As a result of the action, some of the company's morning flights have been disrupted. This is also likely to affect service for the remainder of the day."
Liat also told customers affected by the disruptions that if they wished to rebook, they would be allowed to do so without charge for a week from the date of their original scheduled travel. After that grace period, they would be required to pay applicable fare and change fees when rebooking. Those who are unable to travel as planned owing to the work stoppage were told they would be issued a full credit for future travel at their request.
Liat also said passengers who decided to travel but were unable to complete their journey owing to the disruption would not be provided with meals, transportation or hotel accommodation. Passengers with onward connections were told to contact their respective carriers.Liat apologised to affected passengers and the general public for any inconvenience as a result of the action by its pilots.
Last month in New York, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, admitted the airline was "disappointing to the people of the Caribbean last summer."
In the statement, Liat gave contact numbers for travellers who needed more information:
From Antigua: 1-268-480-5582; toll free from the rest of the Caribbean: 1-888-844-5428 and from Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands: 1-866-549-5428.