Let's work together: Too many planes, too few destinations

The regional government-owned airline LIAT (Leeward Islands Air Transports 1974 Ltd) and Caribbean Star Airlines, owned by Antigua-based American investor Allen Standford are to look into ways of profiting from airline travel in the region.

The two airlines have been going head to head, in what some experts regard as a mutually destructive battle to fill seats on their planes.

But both have had to cutback on their operations due to dwindling profits and high operating costs.

	A case of: if you can't beat each other, then join each other

The negotiations are expected to be completed by year end, according to LIAT Chairman Jean Holder.

"These companies are losing money. They fly the same equipment, fly the same routes, and nearly every day they fly within five minutes of each other, which is an absolutely suicidal form of behavior," he said.

An absolutely suicidal form of behavior.   Jean Holder, LIAT's chairman

LIAT, which has been struggling to operate for years, repositioned itself as a budget carrier last October to keep flying amid rising operational costs and increased competition.

The company employs about 450 people in Antigua.

Privately held Caribbean Star Airlines Ltd. is also based in Antigua.