Maharaj said the airline is free debt free and making money.
"Caribbean Airlines is in the black. It is one of the first times in the history of Caribbean Airlines, and its various incarnations before, that the State carrier is making money," the minister said.
"As I have told the Chairman, and he shares this view, that the Airline is not just metal and steel and glass flying by itself. It does so with people," Maharaj added.
The media conference was part of a visit by the minister to CAL's head office at Piarco.
Maharaj said he made the visit to recognise the extra work staff had put in over the past two weeks.
CAL assisted stranded REDjet passengers after the airline temporarily closed its service for over safety concerns. The airline also had to put on extra flights following the closure of all New York airports due to Hurricane Irene. In addition the state of emergency has put extra stress on the airlines and its employees.
While CAL is celebrating its financial success it could soon be facing a legal matter from the regional commuter airline LIAT.
LIAT claims that CAL is in breach of Caricom rules and alleges that the airline's operations amount to unfair trading practices. LIAT said recently it would take the matter to the Port of Spain-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
Reporters asked Maharaj about that issue. However, he did not want to speculate on that. "Let's leave that for the court and don't prejudice the outcome because we might be victorious in the court as well," Maharaj said.
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