Founder of the newest jazz festival to take place here, Tom Hinds, said his event will be true to its name and provide its audience with authentic jazz music.

Deputy chairman of the Barbuda Council Fabian Jones said the time is nigh for authorities to give very serious consideration to a merge of LIAT and SVG Air.

Job cuts proposed last year by LIAT management is still being considered, Antiguan trade unionist Senator David Massiah said following a key meeting in Barbados yesterday to discuss the way forward for the Antigua-based airline.

Leader of the Opposition Antigua Labour Party Lester Bird has welcomed recent interest expressed in regional carrier LIAT.

The cash-strapped regional airline, LIAT, is likely to get two more shareholders this year, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has announced.

LIAT unions have now gone past seeking resolution with management and are attempting to have the whole management team replaced.

Leaders within the sub-region are now considering their relationship with the Libyan government and how the demise of Muammar Gaddafi would affect the northern African country’s plans for investment in the region.

Antigua-based LIAT is reporting a significant boost in its cargo business since introducing a dedicated plane for freight service a year ago.

LIAT’s management remains hopeful that it will be able to break even when it closes its books on 2011.

Chairman of regional air carrier LIAT Jean Holder has warned the “opportunity costs” of not having the airline “are quite substantial.”