News

Caribbean Idea: Should Virgin Buy LIAT?

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - October 16, 2013

CARIBBEAN air carrier LIAT’s recent struggles have been widely publicized. It’s even been suggested that the company merge with another regional carrier, Caribbean Airlines.

Some have even said that Venezuela could throw its hat in the ring. (There are 11 Caribbean governments with a stake in the company.)

But what about a bigger player, with proven expertise in aviation— Virgin?

Sir Richard Branson has long been one of the Caribbean’s most notable part-time residents, owning Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands, and famously tweeted a link to a LIAT complaint letter over the summer that went viral worldwide.

And he announced he had moved to the island full-time. Branson has also been active in the Caribbean in other areas, including with the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship.

LIAT is struggling, to be sure, but some critics charge that it’s as much from a lack of funding as it is a management issue.

Could Branson’s team could turn things around? Virgin already has transatlantic air links with a number of Caribbean countries.

This is just an idea, of course — but what do you think?

Note: we have no information of any move by Virgin to do so — this is purely hypothetical.

— CJ

Popular Posts all-inclusive montego bay resort by marriott

Marriott Just Opened Its New All-Inclusive Resort in Montego Bay 

Marriott has continued its rapid expansion into the Caribbean all-inclusive space with the debut of its newest adults-only resort in Montego Bay: the new Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort.  The 352-room resort is part of […]


Yes, You Can Stay at an All-Inclusive Resort in St Thomas, USVI

the beach at the bolongo bay resort

The Bolongo Bay Beach Resort on St. Thomas may be the most popular all-inclusive resort you’ve never heard of. It’s not that the resort itself isn’t well-known: this family-run and managed, beach resort has been in business since 1974. But […]


The 15 Best Spa Resorts in the Caribbean

como parrot cay

Resort spas have become almost as common as fitness centers on amenity lists, but while it’s simple enough to carve out some space for a few treatment rooms, there are some spas that offer a true “experience” to go along […]


Related Posts riu cancun

Frontier Airlines Just Restarted This Nonstop Flight to Cancun 

Another day, another Frontier Airlines flight to Cancun. The fast-growing carrier has restarted another nonstop route to the Mexican Caribbean hotspot, this time with daily nonstop service from Detroit.  Detroit-Cancun flights are now operating once every day, with intro fares […]


The Grand Cayman Marriott Is Getting New-Look Rooms (And Some With Bunk Beds)

people floating on seven mile beach

One of the Cayman Islands’ signature places to stay is getting an upgrade: the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort.  The Seven Mile Beach property has begun what it’s calling an “extensive renovation of rooms and suites,” according to a statement from […]


Tiger Woods Is Making His Golf Return in Nassau 

the albany golf course with bunker

Tiger Woods is set to make his return to professional golf at his HERO World Challenge tournament in Nassau.  Woods has not played since the 2023 Masters, from which he withdrew in the third round and then underwent fusion surgery […]


SUBSCRIBE!

Sign up for Caribbean Journal's free newsletter for a daily dose of beaches, hotels, rum and the best Caribbean travel information on the net.


No. Thank You