Vasant asks for report on free CAL tickets for NY, Toronto

File: Vasant Bharath

Vasant Bharath said on Wednesday the Ministry of Finance has asked the chairman of Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL), Rabindra Moonan, to submit a report on allegations that the airline’s vice-chairman, Mohan Jaikaran, requested complimentary airline tickets for a Mother’s Day concert scheduled for New York City and Toronto this weekend. A newspaper report said the cost of the tickets would be US $20,000 for 19 people.

Bharath is a minister in the Ministryb of Finance. He said both he and Finance Minister Larry Howai have asked Moonan for a full report. "Clearly there was a previous report also, of a similar nature, which had not been substantiated but we are awaiting that report. We hope to get it soon,” Bharath said.

He said it would be premature to make a statement on "until we get the report.” 

Bharath also confirmed that CAL is making efforts to restructure and become profitable. 

“We are engaging the services of an overseas consultant to assist with the restructuring and making it more efficient and more profitable."