(Trinidad Express) Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner said on Thursday he was in the dark as to how new Caribbean airline REDjet got the go-ahead to operate in Trinidad and Tobago.
REDjet’s business development director Robbie Burns said on Thursday the required approvals were obtained.
“REDjet has the required regulatory approval from Air Transport Licensing Authority in Barbados under the Air Services agreement between Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados to conduct our current commercial activities. We remain excited about our inaugural flight on May 8,” Burns told the Express via phone on Thursday.
Asked about REDjet’s operations, Warner said he was clueless as to where the airline obtained its approvals.
“You know something, regrettably, I don’t have all the details of REDjet’s entry into Trinidad and Tobago. … I keep trying to know how it happened and why and so on. Be that as it may I want to believe that it is healthy competition and if REDjet coming to Trinidad and Tobago means that (Caribbean Airlines) will buck up … or lower its fares for the general public then so be it, because nothing is wrong with competition,” said Warner during the post-Cabinet press briefing at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s.
“I would have liked to know how the airline got the permission, from whom and when and I’m not quite sure I can answer you those questions,” Warner continued, adding that he had no documents at his ministry’s office with respect to REDjet’s operations.
Director general of the Civil Aviation Authority Ramesh Lutchmedial told the Express yesterday that no approval had been granted for REDjet to start operating in Trinidad and Tobago.
REDjet, the Caribbean’s first low-fare airline, was launched at The Carlton Savannah hotel, Port of Spain on Wednesday.
Burns said that by May 8 customers will be able to pay as low as US$9.99 (before taxes) for a one-way flight.
REDjet registered 150,000 visitors to its website from midday Wednesday to midday yesterday, following its launch in Port of Spain.
