LIAT flight returns to Guyana after declaring in-flight emergency en route to Antigua

Antigua and Barbuda: A LIAT flight declared an emergency shortly after departing Guyana for Antigua and Barbuda on Sunday (September 20, 2026). The flight Embraer GA0770 regional jet operating from Georgetown to Antigua would be returning to Cheddi Jagan International Airport due to an engine-related issue.

At around 12:25 pm, the pilot informed the Control Tower of the airport about the return of the flight. All relevant emergency services, including the Fire Service, were immediately alerted and placed on standby. However, the aircraft subsequently landed safely in Guyana and all 47 passengers who were on the flight disembarked without incident.

The aircraft, an Embraer ERJ-145MP registered V2-LHA, was shown at an altitude of about 5,075 feet and a ground speed of approximately 220 knots. The tracking image showed the aircraft making a turn off Guyana’s coast after departure.

Flightradar24 identifies V2-LHA as an Embraer ERJ-145 operated by LIAT Air. Data shows the flight had been airborne for about 41 minutes and was originally scheduled to continue to Antigua.

There was no immediate confirmation of the nature of the emergency or whether the aircraft was returning to Guyana. A 7700 squawk signals that the crew is dealing with an emergency but does not, by itself, identify the problem.

As of now, the aircraft remains at the airport and the technical team of LIAT assesses the issue and works to resolve it. LIAT Air operates scheduled service between Georgetown and Antigua.

According to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, air traffic controllers have cleared the aircraft to return to the airport and coordinated its approach while maintaining separation from other aircraft in the area. No injuries have been reported as of now and the aircraft is still at the airport in Guyana.

The authorities said that LIAT Flight 5L770 had departed for the VC Bird International Airport in Antigua at 11.55 am when the pilot, about 30 minutes into the trip, “informed the Control Tower that the aircraft would be returning to CJIA due to an engine related issue”.