REDjet’s CEO and Chairman Ian Burns written to CARICOM's acting Secretary General Lolita Applewhaite seeking assistance to get off the ground with flights from Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.
The Barbados-based discount airline cancelled plans for the two destinations last week, blaming what Burns called obstructionist polices in the two CARICOM.
The Barbados-based discount airline cancelled plans for the two destinations last week, blaming what Burns called obstructionist polices in the two CARICOM.
Burns stated that due to the critical nature of air transport infrastructure and “the widely reported obstructionism REDjet has faced trying to enter many regional markets”, the airline wants consideration given to a motion to support open competition for inter-regional travel, as exists in much of extra-regional travel though open skies agreements.
“The motion would include an aspect that positive political support be given to all carriers within the region to have access to every state in accordance with the Treaty of Chaguaramas insofar as it pertains to fair treatment of businesses from a Member State, as would be granted to a business resident in that state,” he wrote.
REDjet is currently only flying between Barbados and Guyana. It started that service on May 10.
Jamaica had delayed consideration of REDjet's application until it had completed its Air Jamaica merger agreement with Trinidad and Tobago's national carrier, Caribbean Airlines.
Authorities in Kingston say they will make a decision about REDjet this week. Trinidad and Tobago has not made any commitment other than a promise to give the application fair treatment.
Burns told Applewhaite REDjet is offering affordable travel throughout CARICOM.
“I am sure that you will agree that we require a new approach to the provision of air services in the Caribbean, movement away from protectionism and the reliance on state supported intra-regional travel,” he said.
“REDjet sees our low fares airline as being a major regional asset which creates new potential in the region for the provision of affordable and sustainable air transport.”
Burns further argued that national and regional state-owned airlines, while providing a basic level of transport, have been a great burden on tax payers and, in large part, have failed to develop profitable business models.
“The motion would include an aspect that positive political support be given to all carriers within the region to have access to every state in accordance with the Treaty of Chaguaramas insofar as it pertains to fair treatment of businesses from a Member State, as would be granted to a business resident in that state,” he wrote.
REDjet is currently only flying between Barbados and Guyana. It started that service on May 10.
Jamaica had delayed consideration of REDjet's application until it had completed its Air Jamaica merger agreement with Trinidad and Tobago's national carrier, Caribbean Airlines.
Authorities in Kingston say they will make a decision about REDjet this week. Trinidad and Tobago has not made any commitment other than a promise to give the application fair treatment.
Burns told Applewhaite REDjet is offering affordable travel throughout CARICOM.
“I am sure that you will agree that we require a new approach to the provision of air services in the Caribbean, movement away from protectionism and the reliance on state supported intra-regional travel,” he said.
“REDjet sees our low fares airline as being a major regional asset which creates new potential in the region for the provision of affordable and sustainable air transport.”
Burns further argued that national and regional state-owned airlines, while providing a basic level of transport, have been a great burden on tax payers and, in large part, have failed to develop profitable business models.
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