ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — The cash-strapped regional airline, LIAT, says it is cutting its services to the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) “as part of its efforts to achieve greater profitability and improve efficiency”.

In a statement, the Antigua-based airline said it would stop servicing the USVI from March 1, when it ends flights to St Croix. Service to St Thomas will end on June 14, it said.

LIAT said it would also suspend its flight between the French island of Guadeloupe and Dominica, and would introduce instead a return service between Antigua and the country.

“These moves are intended to help stabilise the airline’s flight schedule and network,” the company said, adding: “The suspension comes after the completion of a route review exercise designed to help the carrier establish a reliable schedule that will fly on commercially viable routes going forward to offer the region a more consistent service”.

Chief commercial officer Lloyd Carswell said the change means more time added to schedules at airports throughout the region and the removal of some of the underperforming routes.

 “The decisions made have been driven predominately by the need to enhance the operational stability of the airline and the quality of product for our customers,” Carswell said in the statement.

Regional trade unions and LIAT are expected to meet on Friday to discuss the company’s future.