In a media release issued on its social media pages on Wednesday, the regional airline listed the chosen destinations and outlined the procedures which potential passengers must follow in order to successfully book a flight.

“The airline will operate flights five days a week to seven destinations across the LIAT network. The seven destinations are Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Kitts, and St Vincent. The limited schedule of flights will return connectivity to these destinations which were impacted by the airline’s suspension of commercial services,” LIAT stated.

It added: “Passengers will be able to book flights via the LIAT website (www.liat.com) or the Reservations Call Centre.”

New COVID-19 protocols

LIAT also said the airline has implemented several new safety measures to ensure the safety of staff and passengers as well as to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.

“These include the mandatory wearing of masks at check-in and onboard, enhancement in its cleaning and sanitization protocols and new boarding procedures” LIAT stated.

Credit dates extended by an additional year

In a subsequent publication on LIAT’s official website, the airline announced the extension of deadline dates which are attached to all credited accounts.

It said all credits due to expire between March and December 2020 along with all credits issued during 2020 will now expire on December 31, 2021. All credits issued after November 2020 will expire 12 months from their date of issue.

How to utilise credits

LIAT also outlined the policy for persons wishing to use their credits to book flights during the new limited schedule.

The airline said: “Passengers must e-mail the LIAT Reservations Call Centre (credit.shells@liat.com) to book their reservations. Passengers must provide via e-mail the name of the passengers, the confirmation number and a copy of their previous itinerary which reflects the credit amount along with new travel dates and destinations.”

“Once the credit is confirmed, it will be applied to the booking made by the Call Centre. Credits may only be used towards one specific booking. Applicable fare differences must be paid to complete the booking. Travel credits cannot be used to pay for ancillary fees (Fare differences, baggage fees or Pet fees),” it added.

The Reservation Call Centre response time to all emails is expected to be within three business days.

LIAT’s pre-COVID BVI relations

Before the arrival of COVID-19 in the Caribbean in early 2020, the regional airline had a number of daily flights to and from the territory.

These included from countries such as Antigua, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and Barbados.

As recently as December 2019, LIAT resumed direct flights from the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island to the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados.

While no date has been set as to when LIAT’s travel list will be updated, it remains hopeful that the BVI will soon be re-introduced to the list as time progresses.