‘Sick’ cabin crew force LIAT delays

Travellers heading back home after the Christmas holidays experienced several flight delays over the weekend as regional airline LIAT reported “issues” with the cabin crew.

In one example, representatives of the airline advised passengers checking in at Dominica’s Douglas Charles Airport that their flight were delayed by up to two hours in some instances. In subsequent updates they were informed that some would miss their connecting flights due to the delays.

A statement issued Monday by the airline’s head of Corporate Communications Desmond Brown said the company had not been notified of any sick-out or industrial action by cabin crew members.

“[However] we have observed that a higher number of our cabin crew have reported sick but our Operations Control Centre is making adjustments to manage this and any other operational issues arising as is their function and role,” he said.

Brown added that LIAT had been in communication with the cabin crews’ union and was “naturally concerned” for the health and welfare of its workers.

“LIAT will continue to serve its customers during this peak holiday season and endeavour to avoid disruption to its flights,” the airline spokesman promised.

Barbados TODAY understands that the airline was due to meet yesterday with representatives of the cabin crew. There has been no update on the status of the talks up to the time of publication.