The Caribbean Airline
JUMP SEAT
ISSUE 185
LIAT SAYS FAREWLL TO TWO OF ITS CAPTAINS
FAREWELL TO CAPTAINS
HOW’S BUSINESS
ANNIVERSARIES
CORONAVIRUS: ADVICE TO STAFF
LIAT NEWS
With a water salute and an honour guard conisting of Flight and Cabin crew, Captain Michael Collins and Captain Henry Drakes took their final walk as active captains from their final flight. With smiles, hugs and handshakes from colleagues, friends and well wishers, both men would say goodbye to careers that spanned a combined 65 years. Captain Collins operated his final flight LI 398 from Ogle to Trinidad and Antigua while Captain Drakes rode along. Captains Drake and Collins disembark LI 398 Following the greeting on the ramp, both men were feted to a farewell event hosted by the Leeward Island Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) at the Executive Lounge of the V.C. Bird International Airport. The farewell was attended by LIAT’s CEO Julie Reifer-Jones, members of the Executive and Management Teams, staff, past LIAT crew and family members. Chief Executive Officer, Julie Reifer-Jones thanked the captains for their service and stated that opportunities like this to say thank you were welcomed by the company. She wished them all the best in their retirement and urged them to stay active. In his farewell speech, Captain Henry Drakes spoke of the joy it was coming to work. “To the staff of LIAT, you are my people. I love you all. It is a pleasure coming to work.” He expressed his love for the staff who he described as ‘wonderful people’. Captain Collins spoke of the challenges at time and encouraged the younger pilots to make the best of their career. “ I would hope by my leaving [that] I would have [had] a positive impact on the younger guys to go forward in their career.” Captain Collins served LIAT for 33 years while Captain Drakes flew for 32 years. WE WISH THEM ALL THE BEST IN THEIR RETIREMENT!
Please E-mail your Jump Seat content or suggestion to the Editor - Shavar Maloney at this address: MaloneyS@liat.com
Left: Welcome to retirement. Captains Collins and Drakes with retired LIAT pilots. Right: A toast to retirement! Left: The retiring captains with CEO (left), Chairman of LIALPA Capt. Patterson Thompson and Director, Flight Operations Capt. Arthur Senhouse. Right: The crew of Capt. Collins' final flight (L-R) Cabin Crew Isabelle Christian, Capt. Michael Collins, First Officer Rawle Francis along with Captain Henry Drakes.
How’s Business? ON-TIME PERFORMANCE YEAR IN REVIEW
JANUARY
2017
2018
2019
2018
2019
2020
3 MINS
52.1%
69.0%
62.2%
66.4%
67.7%
52.7%
15 MINS
68.3%
83.0%
77.2%
80.8%
82.2%
66.5%
INDUSTRY STANDARD 85%
ON TIME PERFORMANCE
LOAD FACTOR YEAR IN REVIEW Number of Passengers carried 2018
760,049
2019
789,768
Average Load Factor 2018 63.19% 2019 61.30%
LIAT AT A GLANCE No. of Aircraft: 10 5 ATR 42-600 5ATR 72-600 No. of Destinations: 15
RELIABILITY
GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE
LIAT ranked among ‘The Safest Airlines for Island Hopping in the Caribbean’ LIAT has always reiterated the importance of safety to its travellers. This February, an article by Conde Nast Traveler has ranked LIAT among the safest airlines for island hopping in the Caribbean.
The article cites the LIAT safety ranking of 6.5 stars out of 7 stars from AirlineRatings.com. It also highlights the connectivity of the LIAT network across the region. While LIAT is recognized for its admirable safety ranking, there were mixed reviews for lost luggage and late flights. Conde Nast Traveler is produced in the US and has a readership of 5 million and a social media following of over 16.3 million followers. The aticle can be found at: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-safest-airlines-for-island-hopping-in-the-caribbean
Hubs: Antigua and Barbados
ACROSS THE NETWORK Here is a snapshot of activities across the LIAT network in February: Independence Day (Grenada) - February 7 Holetown Festival (Barbados) - February 15-23 Independence Day (St. Lucia) - February 22 Mashramani (Guyana) - February 23 Carnival Monday & Tuesday - February 24-25 (Trinidad, Dominica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Carriacou) Mashramani, is an annual festival that celebrates
Guyana becoming a Republic in 1970. The festival, usually held on 23 February – Guyanese Republic Day
Dear LIAT In this issue we share our vision, our purpose and our brand promise. Let us look at these as we each play a role in ensuring that LIAT is the airline of choice for 2020! THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK!
Our Vision We aspire to be the Caribbean airline of choice connecting the people and communities that we serve safely, reliably and profitably with excellent customer service at an affordable price.
Our Purpose “Connecting the Caribbean” We exist to fuel the potential of Caribbean people by connecting them to the world, their dreams and their aspirations.
Our Brand Promise “Caring for you as you travel” - We recognise that our connection with people is our most valuable asset.
Send us your feedback at
improvement@liat.com
Anniversaries JANUARY 2020 35 YEARS
Oliver Haywood
Barbados
Earle Richardson
Antigua
Regional Customer Service & Ground Operations Manager Senior Mechanic
Antigua
Chief Pilot
Antigua Antigua Antigua
Accounts Clerk, Financial Accounting Accounts Clerk, Direct Channels Supervisor, Banking & Payroll
Trinidad
Mechanic
25 YEARS
Donnie Emanuel 15 YEARS
Shango Zachariah Desiree Peters Lavraine Elvin 10 YEARS
Avrill Modeste
FEBRUARY 2020 40 YEARS
Ernest Bradshaw
Antigua
Maintenance Cordinator
Antigua Antigua
Flight Operations Supervisor Chief Training Captain - ANU
Grenada
Ramp Attendant
Antigua
Director, Human Resources & Employee Relations
30 YEARS
Greg Salmon Elvis Roberts 15 YEARS
Gabriel Creedland 10 YEARS
Ilean Ramsey
Thank you for your hard work and commitment. DESTINATION OF THE MONTH Known as the Spice Isle, we invite you to take a trip to Grenada with our #Must Guide
DID YOU KNOW? #MustLand at the Maurice Bishop International Airport named after the country’s revolutionary leader
#MustTaste OilDown, #MustVisit the Grenadine islands of #MustPlay Jab Jab J’ouvert at Spice Carriacou and Petit Martinique which the national dish of Mas in August Grenada are a part of Grenada
LIAT NEWS
HR SURVEY TO LAUNCH IN FEBRUARY The Human Resource Department will in February conduct its staff survey. The survey is an internally designed and administered survey to gauge the perceptions of our employees with regard to key indicators. The questionnaire is structured such that respondents were asked to evaluate LIAT with respect to: (i) Overall Satisfaction; (ii) My Manager and Supervisor; (iii) My Colleagues and Team; (iv) My Performance; (v) LIAT Vision and Business Strategy; (vi) Senior Leadership; (vii) Living Up to Our Promises; (viii) Internal Communication; and (ix) Environmental Health and Safety.
ten (10) areas • To build a more inclusive organisation, by giving employees the opportunity to let their voices be heard • To provide fuel for activities geared towards improving our Employee Commitment and Satisfaction • To ascertain valuable employee data which will only assist us in tailoring employee initiatives and serving you better. The survey will be launched later this month and will be electronically administered throughout the company . Manager of Industrial and Employee Relations, Mrs. Samantha May-Francis noted that the information will better equip the HR Department in responding to the needs of employees. She encouraged all staff to participate when the survey is launched as this was another medium to share their concerns.
The survey, which serves as an Employee Engagement tool, is geared specifically: • To measure employee satisfaction with respect to the above Have you nominated a colleague for ERRP? Nominations are open for the first quarter of 2020! Recognize a colleague on the front line or internally who gives a great LIAT Experience. Nominations close April 3rd,
FAREWELL COLEEN ‘COCO’ BROWN
On Sunday 29th December, 2019, we learned of the passing of Ms. Coleen Brown, who had recently retired from LIAT. Coleen served as a Cabin Crew member for over 4 decades at LIAT. Below is the tribute delivered by Manager, In Flight Services, Ms. Georgian Richards. ddddd
TRIBUTE TO COLEEN BROWN It is an honor to write this tribute to our dear friend, sister, cabin crew member, trainer, mother and devoted servant of Christ Coleen ‘COCO’ Brown. To us she stood apart from the crowd as someone special, someone genuine, someone loyal and someone we all loved. COCO became a member of the LIAT family on the 10th September 1973. As a result of financial challenges, she was made redundant in June of 1975 and subsequently re-employed in November of the same year. As a committed member of the LIAT team, COCO quickly progressed in her career from cabin crew to senior cabin crew and Cabin Crew trainer in just 4 short years. She loved the aircraft and the Caribbean region and her passion for both would keep her in the skies for 46 years. Throughout her career at LIAT She received numerous letters of gratitude and commendation from passengers and always assisted the company whenever there was a shortage of crew. Her love for our airline and our customers surpassed that of her contemporaries and An honour guard was formed for the procession caught the attention of her superiors who bestowed on her the most distinguished of the casket from the church. honor of representing LIAT at the European Boat Show & Trade Fair hosted by Lufthansa Airline in Germany in 1990. As a trainer, COCO, contributed directly to the training & development of young persons from many walks of life. Her greatest lesson being one of humility, love for the job and the best service to our customers. She will be remembered for her lighthearted smile at the storm spirit and her faith in Christ which she shared with us all at her retirement farewell in February 2019. We heard you COCO, when you encouraged us to trust in God, we heard you COCO when you encouraged us to trust in God’s will And as a Company we will do as you advised to put God first, to love and care for our Company, the way we know you loved and cared for it. We love you and take comfort in the knowledge that you are at rest and that your memory will live on with us forever. May you soar beyond the LIAT skies and rest in the eternal arms of the God you so Cabin Crew members at the grave side. loved.
CORONAVIRUS ADVICE FOR LIAT STAFF There is an outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan, China, caused by a novel (new) coronavirus, which is a family of viruses that includes the common cold, and temporarily named “2019-nCoV.” The immediate health risk from 2019-nCoV to the general public in the Caribbean remains low. Person-to-person spread is occurring in the Wuhan community, and increasing the risk of international spread by travellers. Travellers from Wuhan to Caribbean Countries may be asked questions about their health and travel history upon arrival, and additional measures may be in place in some ports of entry. How LIAT is monitoring the 2019 Novel Coronavirus infection? LIAT is working with the countries and territories into which we operate, and international partners, including IATA, CARPHA and the World Health Organization, to actively monitor the situation. Risk to Caribbean CARPHA maintains that the risk of the novel 2019-Corona virus remains low for the Caribbean region. The risk is deemed low because there are no direct flights from China to the Caribbean and travellers will receive multiple screenings before arrival to Member States. What are common signs and symptoms of infection? A person infected may have the following symptoms: • Fever • Shortness of breath • Cough • Breathing difficulties • Other flu like symptoms • more severe cases: pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. Prevention There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, it is recommended that everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including: - Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. - Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. - Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. - Avoid close contact with people who are sick. - Stay home when you are sick. - Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing with a tissue or flexed elbow, then throw the tissue in the trash. - Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. LIAT will continue to issue e-mail updates to staff on this developing issue.
CAUGHT ON CAMERA
Chief Commercial Officer Audra Walker was all smiles handing over the prize letter to the top performing school in the senior category of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, Deighton Griffith Secondary School
View of St. John’s Antigua on approach to V.C. Bird International Airport Antigua.
Left: CEO Julie Reifer Jones chats with Capt. Singh, Capt Dean and First Officer Knox. Right: Cabin Crew Member Euston Dickenson takes a selfie with retiring captain Michael Collins. ddddd
Left: Capt. Burke wishes the CEO Happy New Year Right: First Officer Sean Henville was serving the drinks at the repast for past CCM Coleen Brown.
Above: CCM Augustina Darroux and First Officer Rhys Evans caught talking about Zing onboard. Left: V2-LIN during a maintenance check in the hangar at Antigua Below: Cabin Crew Member Jasmin Edwards smiles for our camera
Early morning approach into George F.L. Charles St. Lucia
The Caribbean Airline
JUMP SEAT
Two Dominican children who were evacuated by LIAT relief flights stopped by to say ‘Thank You’ to LIAT. The children , Iakeda and Emmanuel Maynard accompanied by their mother Euann Joseph were thankful to Diana Cameron, Customer Service Manager who worked as support staff to the stations during the hurricane relief efforts and was there with the children on the flight. The children, who travelled as UMs to meet their Antiguan grandmother, were grateful and thanked DIana and LIAT for the opportunity to come to Antigua following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria.
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