Loss of Pilots Prompts Carib Aviation to Suspend Flights

Carib Aviation, the Antigua-based carrier, will suspend flights on Sept. 30. In announcing the suspension, Bruce Kaufman, chairman of the airline, said that Carib had received a total of seven resignations from pilots within the past few days. This group comprises four Twin Otter captains and three first officers. Six of the seven have been actively recruited by LIAT. An understanding, reached on Feb. 13 following another unannounced mass recruitment of Carib crew by LIAT, was not respected.

That understanding called for prior notification of Carib by LIAT if the latter was targeting Carib’s pilots for recruitment and the giving of at least the statutory 30 days notice of resignation. Neither of these requirements was observed on this occasion. In fact, the starting date required by LIAT did not allow for the giving of proper notice.

As a direct result of the sudden loss of the great majority of its Twin Otter certified crew, and the unavailability of replacements, Carib will be forced to reduce its Twin Otter schedule, effective Sept. 12, and only operate three Antigua/Montserrat and two Antigua/Barbuda rotations daily.

On Sept. 12, Carib will suspend its Antigua, Dominica Canefield, Nevis, St. Kitts and Anguilla scheduled operations. Because Carib will not be able to generate enough revenue on this scaled-down schedule, it will incur crippling and unsustainable financial losses as the available revenue will not be able to cover overheads and or operating costs, Kaufman said.

Kaufman said Carib is prepared to incur those losses for a temporary period until Sept. 30 to give the governments of Antigua and Barbuda and Montserrat an opportunity to secure replacement service. He said that Carib regretted this turn of events but, under the current circumstances, scheduled and charter services cannot be sustained past Sept. 30.

Passengers who have purchased travel on Carib operated flights after the suspension of service will be fully refunded for the unused portion of their tickets. Those who have purchased tickets direct from Carib Aviation or through the Carib Aviation website should contact Carib Aviation for their refunds. Any tickets purchased via the LIAT web-site or ticket office will be refunded by LIAT.