LIAT to offer scheduled flights to Montserrat

The Government of Montserrat has agreed a contract with Caribbean airline LIAT to operate a new scheduled air service between Antigua and Montserrat, beginning on July 1, 2008. Catching a 20-minute flight from Antigua is currently the only way to reach Montserrat, other than by a private boat or aircraft, since Montserrat’s Gerald’s Airport opened in July 2005.

The LIAT flights will replace the current air service operated by Winair, which will end on June 30, 2008.

LIAT (1974) Limited has entered into a code share agreement with Carib Aviation Ltd on the Antigua - Montserrat route, which will also allow customers to connect in Antigua to or from other destinations on its network.

There will be a minimum of three return flights a day between Antigua and Montserrat during the low season, but this is likely to increase at high seasons such as Christmas. Carib Aviation will also schedule additional services to cater to un-seasonal peak demand for travel to Montserrat.

One way adult fares will cost between US$65 and US$85. This price is inclusive of fuel and insurance surcharges but not taxes and levies imposed by Governments and airport authorities. Flights can be booked online at fly-liat.com.

Day tourists who book with approved tour operators will be offered a net fare of US$100 for a return journey, again inclusive of fuel and insurance surcharges but not taxes and levies. This special rate is expected to attract an increasing amount of day-trippers from Antigua, many of whom are interested in visiting Montserrat to see its active volcano and other natural attractions.

The new agreement will make island-hopping within the Caribbean much easier as passengers flying connecting to or from LIAT or Carib Aviation in Antigua will be checked straight through from origin to destination, avoiding the inconvenience of having to clear Immigration and Customs in Antigua.

The development of Montserrat’s new airport and the re-commencement of flights from Antigua in 2005 have played a vital role in boosting the island’s tourism industry in recent years. After Montserrat’s volcano rumbled into life in 1995, the former airport was shut due to its proximity to the activity, limiting access to the island.

Gerald’s Airport is situated in the north of Montserrat, which remains green, beautiful and largely unaffected by the ongoing volcanic activity. Whilst the island was previously off the radar of tour operators, around a dozen have begun offering holidays on the island since the airport’s opening three years ago.

For more information on Montserrat, go to Visitmontserrat.com.