ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, December 23, 2010 – Regional airline LIAT on Thursday said it is still awaiting an approved instrument approach in order to commence scheduled night operations into the Melville Hall Airport in Dominica.

LIAT’s Director of Flight Operations, Captain George Arthurton, noted that the Company has repeatedly emphasised that although it would like to commence scheduled night operations into Dominica as soon as possible, it is unable to do so until an instrument approach has been approved by the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA).

He explained that LIAT’s operating standards require that an instrument approach is available for scheduled night operations. The current ECCAA Phase One approval only permits visual approaches into Dominica at night.

Captain Arthurton noted that the introduction of scheduled night landings into Melville Hall would bring substantial benefits both to passengers and to LIAT by eliminating the need for Dominica-bound passengers to overnight in other islands due to sunset restrictions.

LIAT has submitted a request to the ECCAA for approval of a revised instrument approach so that the airline can commence scheduled night operations into Dominica during the current Phase One process. The Company is awaiting a formal response.