In a move intended to strengthen regional connectivity and further diversify Guyana’s booming tourism sector, LIAT (Leeward Islands Air Transport) has introduced additional flights, providing 796 new seats weekly.
The expanded services aim to accommodate the increasing demand for travel to and from Guyana, which has seen a significant uptick in international interest due to the country’s growing economy and unique eco-tourism offerings.
During the official launch of operations on Tuesday, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill praised the initiative, emphasizing its potential to increase visitor numbers while supporting regional integration.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill
“With the strong vision of President Ali and what is happening in our promotion of sport tourism, the Global Super League will be here shortly. Our eco-tourism product is expanding, and our contribution to reducing the food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025 is being taken seriously and is moving”, he said.
“With LIAT 2020 being here, the Guyanese travelling public only asks of you one thing: we want predictability. Guyanese businesses and tourists want to know that when we show up, we get our flights like everywhere else in the world,” Edghill said.
LIAT’s additional flights connect Guyana to key Caribbean destinations, facilitating smoother travel for business and leisure passengers. This improved connectivity is expected to enhance accessibility to Guyana’s rich natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and burgeoning oil and gas sector, all of which are drawing global attention.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda
Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda believes that, with the added capacity, LIAT can play a vital role in positioning Guyana as a leading destination in the region. On this point, he explained that LIAT sees the start of its Guyana service as a significant milestone in the airline’s expansion strategy.
“As you build out your tourism product, you have observed that already you attract new hotel properties, and it does make sense to diversify the economy as you build out your tourism sector when the demand for your product will increase and we’re right here to help you tourists, visitors, nationals into Guyana to ensure you have consistent and reliable connectivity,” Browne stated.
LIAT was founded in 1956 by Frank Delisle in Montserrat with a single Piper Apache aircraft. Over the decades, the airline expanded its operations, becoming a vital link between the Eastern Caribbean islands.
By the 1970s, LIAT joined forces with regional airlines like BWIA and Air Jamaica, further solidifying its position as the Caribbean’s primary inter-island carrier.
Despite financial challenges and restructuring over the years, LIAT has remained committed to its mission of connecting the Caribbean. Its fleet primarily comprises ATR aircraft, well-suited for short-haul routes, allowing the airline to operate efficiently between islands.
With the addition of new routes and increased seating capacity, LIAT has focused on not just maintaining, but expanding, its role in fostering economic growth, tourism, and cultural exchange in the region. The partnership with Guyana exemplifies LIAT’s ongoing efforts to adapt and evolve, ensuring its relevance in an ever-changing aviation industry.
