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New aircraft earmarked for Guyana route
By Zena Henry
of LIAT’s new ATRs landing in Antigua on Sunday
Guyana is one of several countries cushioning a long haul of eight new planes expected to upgrade the air fleet of Caribbean aviation company LIAT. The company says by month end, their passengers could be flying in ‘optimal comfort’ as the airline has commenced their re-fleeting process with new ATR 72-600 aircraft.
The airline saw the delivery of the first air carrier last Thursday – making its way from France to Antigua. Another, manned by Guyanese pilot Chris Cameron, made a one-hour fuel stop at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on Sunday, flying almost halfway around the world from Toulouse, to the Canary Islands, to the Cape Verde Islands, to Recife in Brazil, to Guyana and finally to St. John’s, Antigua.
A grand ceremony was held in Antigua on Sunday to welcome the new small crafts for inter-regional service. It is expected that by next December, LIAT will completely replace its existing 14 – Dash 8 planes commencing with four 68-seat ATR 72-600 and four 48-seat ATR 42-600s. LIAT officials said that the fleet is being leased from GECAS (GE Capital Aviation Services).
“The introduction of these brand new ATR -600s is a part of the airline’s restructuring plans aiming at fleet modernization and network improvements. By progressively replacing its current fleet of former turboprop aircraft with the modern and fuel efficient ATRs, the airline will significantly reduce operating and maintenance costs, gain further in profitability and offer more comfort to its passengers due to its enhanced seats design,” Desmond Brown, LIAT’s Head of Corporate Communications in Antigua told Kaieteur News.
Only recently, LIAT made its inaugural flight to Ogle International Airport, signaling the facility’s acquired status. LIAT is expected to take all flights out of CJIA to Ogle where it was mentioned that after a survey, it was shown that customers preferred travelling out of the newly certified Regional Class Airport. LIAT is expected to start full service out of Ogle airport before year end.
Chief Executive Officer of LIAT, Ian Brunton, said that by renewing the fleet, customers will enjoy more efficiency and better travel experience as the ATR 72-600 fits low operating costs and has most updated technologies and optimal comfort. It was expressed that the line-up of the full new generation ATR model range will allow LIAT to optimize its fleet on the pan-Caribbean network with aircraft of the same family, offering both 50- and 70-seat capacity.
The ATR 72-600 is said to comprise 68 to 74 seats, with maximum take-off power of 2,750 horsepower per engine. It carries a maximum weight at take-off of 23,000kg, maximum payload of 7,500kg and can travel some 900 nautical miles (1,665 Km) with full passenger load.
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