Following reviews of defective touchdown gear found throughout take a look at flights of a not too long ago acquired LIAT 2020 plane, officers have moved shortly to buy new components.
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, confirmed the reviews over the weekend however assured that new components have been sourced.
“Final weekend, they did some take a look at flights, and I’m instructed that the aircraft needed to change the touchdown gear and the engine, I consider one a part of it got here on this week, and one other half it’s supposed to return in on Tuesday. So, from subsequent week, they may proceed these take a look at flights and as ECCAA evaluation these varied manuals, we’re hoping they’ll expedite them they usually can full them inside the subsequent couple of weeks,” he stated.
The airline should endure this course of to acquire its Air Operator’s Certificates (AOC) earlier than commencing common scheduled flights.
Moreover, Browne acknowledged that the opposite two plane the federal government seeks to buy from the Caribbean Growth Financial institution can even require intensive repairs earlier than being deemed airworthy.
“The 2 of them will not be fairly airworthy, they usually should be refurbished, they usually want new touchdown gear and different elements,” he added whereas indicated that US$10 million shall be spent to take action.
LIAT 2020 emerges because the successor to LIAT 1974. The brand new airline is a partnership between regional governments and Nigerian airline Air Peace, which owns 70 per cent of its shares.
