Liat Air

Liat Air is a regional airline of Antigua and Barbuda that succeeded LIAT (1974) as an operator focused on air links within the Eastern Caribbean. The airline was incorporated in Antigua and Barbuda in July 2020 under the earlier name LIAT20, through a partnership between the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and Air Peace Caribbean Ltd. Its creation followed the severe financial and operational effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on LIAT (1974), which ultimately entered liquidation and ceased operations on 24 January 2024 after years of difficulty and the loss of more than 90 jobs. The ownership structure gives Air Peace Caribbean Ltd a 70 percent stake and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda a 30 percent stake. Air Peace Caribbean Ltd also arranged the leasing of aircraft for the new carrier. The reported initial investment was US$65 million from Air Peace Caribbean Ltd and US$20 million from the Antiguan and Barbudan government. These figures relate to the venture's formation and restart program rather than to public-market financial reporting; the airline is not identified as a listed company. Liat Air began rebuilding regional services with Embraer ERJ 145 regional jets, the first two of which arrived in April 2024. It also operates ATR 42-600 turboprops. The fleet and operational resources were associated with the former LIAT operation and with Air Peace Caribbean Ltd. Management and government planners initially emphasized inter-island connections, while considering whether routes previously served by LIAT (1974), including links to Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands, could eventually be restored. A larger Embraer E195-E2 was also discussed as a possible future addition, but the available reference material does not establish that the aircraft entered service. The airline commenced operations on 6 August 2024 with an inaugural flight to Castries, Saint Lucia. It subsequently announced scheduled service from 19 August 2024, including a twice-daily, three-times-weekly Antigua–Saint Lucia–Barbados routing. This launch positioned Liat Air as a connectivity-oriented regional carrier rather than a long-haul airline. Its role is particularly tied to the geography of the Caribbean, where island-to-island travel depends heavily on dependable air links and where the collapse of a major regional operator created a significant transportation gap. On 12 July 2025, the company rebranded from LIAT20 to Liat Air. The new name connects the carrier to the established LIAT identity while distinguishing the post-liquidation venture from LIAT (1974), the earlier airline. Liat Air's current brand proposition is therefore based on regional continuity, the restoration of essential Caribbean routes, and the use of smaller regional aircraft suited to short-haul island markets. Detailed current route, fleet, executive, and financial information is limited in the supplied reference material.

Liat Air emerged from efforts to create a successor to LIAT (1974), the long-standing regional carrier serving the Eastern Caribbean. LIAT (1974) had experienced financial and operational difficulties for years, and the COVID-19 pandemic intensified the pressure on its business. The airline ultimately entered liquidation, formally ending operations on 24 January 2024 and laying off more than 90 employees. The successor company was incorporated in Antigua and Barbuda in July 2020 under the name LIAT20. It was established as a joint venture between Air Peace Caribbean Ltd, a local private-company partner identified in the reference material, and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda. Air Peace Caribbean Ltd owns 70 percent, while the government owns 30 percent. Air Peace Caribbean Ltd was also responsible for leasing aircraft for the initial operation. The reported investment commitments were US$65 million from Air Peace Caribbean Ltd and US$20 million from the government. The new carrier was designed to address the regional connectivity gap left by LIAT (1974). Early planning prioritized inter-island routes and contemplated revisiting former LIAT destinations such as Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. The initial fleet plan centered on Embraer ERJ 145 regional jets, with the first two arriving in April 2024. The airline also operates ATR 42-600 turboprops. A future Embraer E195-E2 acquisition was announced as a possibility, although the supplied material does not confirm that this aircraft was delivered or placed into service. Liat Air commenced operations on 6 August 2024 with an inaugural flight to Castries, Saint Lucia. Scheduled service was announced for 19 August, including an Antigua–Saint Lucia–Barbados routing operated three times weekly with two flights per operating day. The launch represented an attempt to rebuild a dedicated regional network around Antigua and Barbuda and to restore practical links among Caribbean islands. On 12 July 2025, LIAT20 was rebranded Liat Air. The name retained a recognizable connection to the earlier regional airline while marking the new company's distinct legal and operating identity. The brand's history is consequently linked to both continuity and reconstruction: continuity in its geographic purpose and regional identity, and reconstruction in its ownership, fleet, and post-liquidation operating model. Publicly available information in the supplied material does not provide a complete account of later route changes, fleet changes, management appointments, or financial performance.

• 2025

  LIAT20 becomes Liat Air

  [1]Liat Airen.wikipedia.org

  The airline adopted the Liat Air brand on 12 July 2025.

• 2024

  LIAT (1974) ceases operations

  [1]Liat Airen.wikipedia.org

  The predecessor airline officially stopped operating on 24 January 2024 following liquidation proceedings associated with prolonged financial difficulties and the pandemic's effects.

• 2024

  First Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft arrive

  [1]Liat Airen.wikipedia.org

  The successor carrier received its first two Embraer ERJ 145 regional jets in April 2024 while preparing for commercial launch.

• 2024

  Commercial operations begin

  [1]Liat Airen.wikipedia.org

  The airline began operations on 6 August 2024 with an inaugural flight to Castries, Saint Lucia.

• 2024

  Scheduled regional service launches

  [1]Liat Airen.wikipedia.org

  Scheduled services were announced for 19 August 2024 on an Antigua–Saint Lucia–Barbados routing.

• 2020

  LIAT20 incorporated

  [1]Liat Airen.wikipedia.org

  A successor airline venture was incorporated in Antigua and Barbuda in July 2020 through a partnership between Air Peace Caribbean Ltd and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.

A Caribbean regional airline focused on restoring and strengthening inter-island connectivity after the failure of LIAT (1974), using regional jets and turboprop aircraft.

• Passenger airline service · 2024

  Scheduled regional passenger services

  Liat Air provides scheduled short-haul passenger transportation between Caribbean islands. Its operating concept is centered on inter-island connectivity, with Antigua and Barbuda serving as an important base for routes to neighboring Eastern Caribbean destinations. The service model uses aircraft appropriate for relatively short regional sectors rather than long-haul international travel.

• Regional route · 2024

  Antigua–Saint Lucia–Barbados service

  The Antigua–Saint Lucia–Barbados routing was among the first scheduled services announced by the airline. The published plan called for service beginning 19 August 2024, operating three times weekly with two flights per operating day. It illustrated the carrier's initial emphasis on linking major points in the Eastern Caribbean.

• Aircraft-based service · 2024

  Embraer ERJ 145 operations

  The Embraer ERJ 145 formed part of the initial fleet used to restart regional flying. Two aircraft arrived in April 2024 ahead of the airline's launch. The type is a regional jet suited to comparatively small passenger markets and short regional sectors, making it consistent with Liat Air's inter-island operating strategy.

• Aircraft-based service

  ATR 42-600 operations

  Liat Air also operates ATR 42-600 turboprop aircraft. The type is used widely for regional and island aviation because of its suitability for shorter routes and smaller airports. The supplied reference confirms the aircraft type as part of the airline's fleet but does not provide a complete aircraft count or route allocation.

• 2025

  Rebrand from LIAT20 to Liat AirStrategy

  Background

  The successor airline had operated under the LIAT20 identity while developing its network and fleet.

  Action taken

  On 12 July 2025, the company adopted the Liat Air name.

  Aftermath

  The rebrand established a distinct identity for the successor operation while retaining a clear connection to the regional LIAT name.

  Source

• 2024

  Launch regional services with Embraer ERJ 145 aircraftProduct launch

  Background

  The new airline needed a practical fleet and route structure for restarting inter-island services after the predecessor carrier ceased operations.

  Action taken

  The airline accepted its first two Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft in April and began operations on 6 August 2024.

  Aftermath

  The inaugural flight operated to Castries, Saint Lucia, followed by the announcement of scheduled Antigua–Saint Lucia–Barbados service.

  Source

• 2020

  Create a successor regional carrierStrategy

  Background

  The collapse and eventual liquidation of LIAT (1974), compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, created a need for renewed inter-island air services in the Eastern Caribbean.

  Action taken

  Air Peace Caribbean Ltd and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda incorporated LIAT20 as a new joint venture, with Air Peace Caribbean Ltd holding 70 percent and the government holding 30 percent.

  Aftermath

  The venture developed an initial fleet and route plan and later launched commercial operations under the Liat Air brand.

  Reported formation investment. US$65 million from Air Peace Caribbean Ltd and US$20 million from the Government of Antigua and Barbuda (At formation and restart planning)

  Source

1. 1Liat Airen.wikipedia.org