Cabinet to discuss CAL matter Thursday; Jack says board not reporting to him

Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner said Tuesday the board of Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has not been reporting to him although he is the line minister for the airline.

"I don't know who they answer to, but I know they don't answer to me. And therefore as far as I am concerned they have no obligation to talk me. I read their affairs in the papers. I don't get any phone calls, I don't get any e-mails, I don't even get minutes from board meetings. I don't know anything," Warner said.

He was speaking with reporters following the installation of the new board of the Airports Authority, which is chaired by former BWIA pilot, Captain Vaman Bajnath.

There's a rift between Warner and the chairman of the CAL board, George Nicholas over the dismissal of Captain Ian Brunton as CAL's CEO. The differences arose over plans by CAL to buy 9 new planes from the European manufacturer, ATR, at a cost of US$200 million.

Brunton was the chief negotiator for the planes and the contract was approved by Cabinet in September. There was no CAL board in place at the time and a deposit of US$1.8 million has been made for the aircraft, which are to be delivered next year.

The CAL board has some concerns over safety with the ATR planes and there is a chance that the airline might consider cancelling the order and buying planes from the Canadian aerospace giant, Bombardier. However a highly placed government sources told JYOTI that is unlikely.

Warner is still upset over the firing of the CEO. "For Brunton to be fired for following a Cabinet order is unpardonable," he said. He said the issue will first be discussed at Thursday's Cabinet meeting. He told the media he has provided his cabinet colleagues will full details of the matter. He promised to reveal more on Friday.