ST JOHN’S, Antigua, Friday January 10, 2020 – Former Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur has been confirmed as head of the Board of Directors of regional airline LIAT, and he has already been given the task of examining the sustainability of the financially-troubled carrier.

In a statement issued yesterday, days after Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne disclosed that Arthur would be the new Chairman, replacing Dr Jean Holder who has retired after 16 years, LIAT confirmed the former Prime Minister was nominated and elected to the position.

Arthur is currently a Professor of Practice at the University of The West Indies. He has served the Caribbean in various capacities, including his work presiding over the regional process to revise the Treaty of Chaguaramas to establish the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).

“The new Chairman has been tasked by the new Board to undertake a special assignment to meet with regional Prime Ministers to discuss sustainability of the Airline. This assignment will be supported by other directors and the Management Team of the airline,” LIAT said in its statement.

The other Directors, who LIAT said bring to the airline and regional transportation sector over 100 years of combined aviation experience, are: Michael Holder, Mark Maloney, Robert Riley, and Juanita Thorington-Powlett of Barbados which is the largest shareholder government; Carolyn Tonge, Lennox Weston and Sir Robin Yearwood from Antigua and Barbuda; and St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Isaac Solomon. The nominations came from LIAT’s shareholder governments. The other shareholder is Dominica.

“The Directors have demonstrated exceptional records of performance and service to the industry and to the region,” LIAT said.

“LIAT’s Shareholders, Management and Staff welcome our Directors to the LIAT and look forward to working together with the new Board to foster and strengthen regional transportation and integration.”