Caribbean Airlines chief says new T&T gov't will accept Air Jamaica deal

The Chief Executive Officer of Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) is predicting that the partnership between the Trinidad and Tobago state airline and Air Jamaica with unite the Caribbean People.

Ian Brunton called the deal between the two airlines, reached under the Manning regime, a great accomplishment.

"It marked a beginning of a new day in Caribbean aviation that many had struggled for decades. The union of these two airlines is a win-win product," Brunton noted in a speech at the Negril Chamber of commerce annual grand gala dinner.

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He also said he is optimistic that the change of government would not change the arrangement between the Jamaican and Trinidad and Tobago governments in which the Caribbean Airlines acquired the cash-strapped Air Jamaica.

"Nothing is going to change... What went on between the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the Government of Jamaica is an international treaty. It is something that is good for both sides," Brunton argued.

Brunton dismissed reports that the Kamla government might scuttle the deal because it has asked for a full review of the agreement.

"What you read in the press is really something you should expect. If a new Government takes over and large commitments have been made to the treasury and so on they would want to look at it to make sure it was done right," Brunton noted.

"There was also an election promise it was all in the hustlings for the last couple of months while they were campaigning on the elections that they would investigate this and we welcome it that", Brunton declared.

Speaking about the airlines deal he said the alliance between the two Caribbean airlines "allows us to defend against aggression by mega-carriers and other alliance airlines".

He said, "The common problem suffered by airlines of the Caribbean is lack of critical mass. Airlines need huge sums of cash to exist and our islands simply cannot afford their own carrier. The only answer for them is consolidation. This is what we are doing together," Brunton stated.