Last Thursday Warner told reporters he did not have details about plans by the Barbados-based discount airline to operate services from Trinidad to other Caribbean destinations starting in May. However he said he welcomes competition.
On Sunday he reiterated that. “It is true that I am not against competition, but I don’t think that competition should be based on a degree of lawlessness,” Warner said.
He noted that the Civil Aviation Authority, Caribbean Airlines and the Airports Authority have no knowledge of who gave permission to the no frills carrier to operate out of Trinidad and Tobago.
The airline is advertising that it will be offering services from Trinidad and Tobago to Jamaica, Barbados and Guyana at a discount of 60 per cent over fares by other airlines.
Its ads say the service will begin on May 8, using two MD-82 aircraft.
Warner made it clear that there are specific rules about air services. “To get in this country you have to get consent from Civil Aviation and they did not get it. As line Minister I do not know anything about it, the Prime Minister do not know anything about it,” Warner said.
The minister suggested that “something has to be wrong”, noting that there are no records that show that the previous government made any agreements with REDJet.
However he said if REDJet received all permission above board, he would welcome the airline, which he said would not present any real competition to state carrier Caribbean Airlines (CAL).
“REDJet is aware that they haven’t got permission...Nothing is wrong with competition, but it must be competition based on respect for a country laws and regulations,” he said.
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