Local News
LIAT 2020 Takes to the Skies with Inaugural Flight to Saint Lucia
The newly formed LIAT 2020 launched its inaugural flight to Saint Lucia today, August 6, signaling the resurgence of the inter-regional airline following the bankruptcy of its predecessor, LIAT (1974) Ltd, in January this year.
The inaugural flight departed from V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua at 11:30 a.m., carrying a delegation of dignitaries and media representatives. The launch was preceded by a brief opening ceremony where Prime Minister Gaston A. Browne of Antigua and Barbuda, along with other officials, expressed their pride and optimism for the future of LIAT 2020.
Formed in partnership with Air Peace, a Nigerian private airline established in 2013, LIAT 2020 aims to restore and enhance regional connectivity. The new entity emerges from the shadow of LIAT 1974 Ltd, which had been under administration since July 24, 2020.
LIAT 2020 begins operations with a fleet of seven aircraft, initially offering a limited schedule of three flights per week between Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, and Barbados. This strategic launch is part of a broader vision to rebuild a reliable inter-island transport network that is vital for the economic and social fabric of the Caribbean.
Earlier this year, it was announced that Air Peace would invest nearly US$65 million into the venture, with the government of Antigua and Barbuda contributing an additional US$20 million.
While LIAT 2020 has yet to schedule flights to the British Virgin Islands (VI), there is growing anticipation that the airline will soon expand its routes to include this key destination. The VI, currently facing challenges with regional airline services, stands to benefit significantly from LIAT 2020’s enhanced connectivity.
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Local News
British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission Welcomes New Leadership
The British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVIFSC) has announced new appointments to its governing board, with Mr. Gerard St Clair Farara KC stepping in as Chairman and Ms. Patlian Johnson as Commissioner. The appointments, confirmed by the Ministry of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, mark a new chapter for the commission as it seeks to strengthen the territory’s financial services sector.
Mr. Gerard St Clair Farara KC has been appointed to a three-year term as Chairman, effective August 1, 2024. A seasoned legal expert with a distinguished career, Farara currently serves as a Commercial Court Judge for the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and leads the litigation team at the BVI office of COLLAS CRILL, formerly Farara Kerins. Farara’s prominence in the legal community is further highlighted by his appointment as Queen’s Counsel in 1996, cementing his standing as a leading figure in the Virgin Islands Bar and the broader Eastern Caribbean.
Ms. Patlian Johnson will serve a one-year term as Commissioner, also beginning on August 1, 2024. Johnson, a Strategy and Policy Advisor with extensive experience, currently holds the position of National Coordinator for the UNDP Project Office. She brings an impressive academic background, including a Master of Science in Economics and Finance from the University of Bristol and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Accounting with First Class Honours from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.
The pair will replace outgoing Chairman Mr. Robin F. Gaul and Commissioner Mr. Melvin A. Turnbull, whose terms have concluded. Minister of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL), praised the new appointments, stating, “I am delighted to welcome Mr. Farara and Ms. Johnson to the BVIFSC Board of Commissioners. Their combined expertise will be invaluable as we continue to navigate the challenges and opportunities facing the financial services sector.”
Smith also expressed gratitude to the departing board members for their significant contributions to the growth and stability of the territory’s financial services industry. According to the Government Information Service (GIS), these appointments underscore the Virgin Islands’ commitment to maintaining a well-regulated and competitive financial services sector.
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