REDjet appeals to regional politicians to get flights from T&T, Jamaica operational

Barbados-based REDjet is appealing to politicians to intervene to allow the discount airline to begin services from Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica. And it says it will also take whatever steps are available to it, to get flights to those countries off the ground.

The airline, which began flights to Guyana last week, is disappointed that it has not been able to do the same from Trinidad and Jamaica. It says its potential passengers have become "victims of protectionism in the homes of two of the regional state owned monopolies”.

REDjet has accused Trinidad and Tobago’s national carrier, Caribbean Airlines (CAL), of trying to block it from entering the two markets.

In a post on its Facebook page Monday the airline called on the senior statesmen from Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados "to step and in cut through the protectionism and red tape being used to prevent fair competition and ensure international agreements are honoured for taxpayers and consumers.” 

It added, “As a designated airline of Barbados, a country that for decades has provided route rights to Caribbean Airlines, BWIA and Air Jamaica, no excuse can be given for defending the interests of a monopoly airline and denying consumers competition and lower fares." 

The low-cost carrier is still awaiting approval from the authorities in Trinidad about flights from Piarco. It said Transport Minister Jack Warner assured the airline at a meeting on May 5 that he would submit a "positive recommendation" to cabinet on behalf of the airline.

Over the weekend REDjet's CEO and Chairman Ian Burns said the company is “exhausting every resource within its power to ensure the commencement of services to all advertised routes”.

The airline last week told passengers booked on Trinidad flights that due to “political delays” beyond its control, it cannot operate flights between Barbados to Trinidad until May 29. Flights to Jamaica have been pushed back to June 6.