St. John’s Antigua: Airline passengers at VC Bird International Airport were left in limbo after their connecting flights out of Antigua were cancelled yesterday as Tropical Storm Isaac barrelled towards the island.
Travellers who had planned to stop here in transit only before boarding a LIAT flight to their final destination were in for a rude awakening when a number of services were cancelled and the airport went into shutdown.
Many were angry to be told it was not LIAT’s policy to foot the bill for overnight accommodation.
“I just think it’s not fair,” said one young woman who had flown on British Airways to Antigua where she was to be in transit to St Maarten. “They said it’s safety before anything else. So a lot of people that were on the plane, like 500 people, have to find somewhere to stay,” she said.
The London resident said that LIAT representatives had told her they couldn’t accurately predict when she would be able to leave, as they didn’t know what state the airport would be in.
“Some have been very helpful in giving me telephone numbers to call … to find out what’s going to happen.”
The passenger said that although no one was to blame, the delay would put a strain on her and others’ pockets.
“I know it’s an act of God but still it’s (about) the compensation as well,” she said. “Because if you’re here longer than, I think, 24 hours, you will have to pay departure tax again. That’s extra money coming out of holiday money and if you don’t have it you’re stuck.”
Aggravating the matter was the recent hike in airport departure tax to EC $75 per passenger leaving the country.
Fortunately for the young woman, her mother knows someone who lives in Antigua and she was able to secure a place to stay. “I asked the British Airways lady to call my mom and my mom gave me a lady’s number. I’m one of the fortunate ones.”
Others were not so fortunate. An understandably distressed British couple was headed to Tortola on a LIAT connecting flight when they were informed that their flight would not leave the island on Wednesday. At the time they spoke with OBSERVER Media they were attempting to find a hotel to stay at for the night.
Corporate Communications Manager for LIAT, Desmond Browne, advised stranded passengers to speak with airline management at the airport. He said, “They will be dealt with on a case by case basis.”
LIAT cancelled several regional flights coming in and out of Antigua on Wednesday in anticipation of Tropical Storm Isaac. American Airlines/Eagle followed suit and flights 4838 on August 22, plus flights 4839, 1907, and 406 were cancelled. Regular operations are set to resume on Friday. A press release from the airport authority announced that VC Bird International Airport would be closed from 4:30 pm on Wednesday until 10 am today.
Meanwhile, government offices closed yesterday at noon to enable staff to reach home safely, collect children and secure property. Many businesses across the island also closed early to the public.
Hospital visiting times were affected too. Visiting hours at Mount St John’s Medical Centre ended early yesterday at 5 pm, instead of the usual 9 pm. However visitors were free to attend between 1 pm and 5pm, when the hospital would usually be closed to guests.
A spokeswoman said this was to allow families “adequate support time with their loved ones and avoid unnecessary travel”. It also enabled the facility to accommodate staff who camped there last night to ensure they were available for shifts today.
Normal visiting hours of 11am to 1pm and 6pm to 9pm were expected to resume today.
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