REDjet cancels flights to Jamiaca, accuses CAL of trying to block its business

The Barbados-based discount airline REDjet is blaming Trinidad and Tobago's Caribbean Airlines (CAL) for REDjet's failure to start regular services to Jamaica.

The airline was scheduled to begin flights to Kingston on Wednesday but has had to cancel at least eight flights and refund fares to passengers.

REDjet's Business Development Manager Robbie Burns sent an email to booked passengers informing them that “due to political and regulatory actions in Jamaica beyond our control, REDjet cannot operate flights between Barbados to Jamaica between 11th May and 24th May”.

Burns did not specify the nature of the "political and regulatory actions". 

However, REDjet stated on its Facebook page that the government of Jamaica has delayed its commitment to the airline. It addition it said other regional carriers are attempting "to delay and deny REDjet previously approved access", in order to prevent competition.

The Jamaica Observer newspaper reported Friday that Burns accused CAL of attempting to keep REDjet out of the market.

“I can confirm that CAL has objected to REDjet flying to Trinidad and Jamaica as they are claiming that as a designated airline of Barbados that Barbados cannot designate another airline. This was confirmed by a senior member of the Trinidad negotiating team," the paper quoted Burns as saying.

"I cannot confirm that CAL has placed the condition on REDjet not being allowed to fly into Jamaica as a requirement to complete the Air Jamaica acquisition. 

"However we have it from a Ministry official in Jamaica and would trust its credibility,” he said. He asscued CAL CAL of "effectively securing a monopoly to the detriment of the economy and consumer."

REDjet is still awaiting official word from Trinidad and Tobago authorities for flights there to begin on Sunday, a week after originally scheduled.

The airline made a premature announcement of its intention to begin service through Trinidad without getting the necessary regulatory authorisation from Trinidad and Tobago authorities, including the Civil Aviation body in the country.

The director general of T&T's civil aviation authority has stated that getting authorisation from Barbados to fly to Trinidad and Tobago does not exempt REDjet from getting local approvals.