Just weeks after announcing new routes, low cost carrier REDjet has abruptly left the skies, announcing last evening that all flights are suspended until further notice.
The airline’s CEO Ian Burns did not state a reason for the “temporary cessation of flights” but hinted at financial difficulties and said the airline hopes to receive “a small part of the state assistance” other airlines receive. From today the airline will no long be flying and the decision is likely to affect Guyanese travellers as the company had reported that significant numbers of travellers had opted for REDjet. Burns said affected passengers will be offered refunds or the option to travel with REDjet upon recommencement of services. The airline operated several flights here weekly.
The airline had suspended flights in the past after experiencing hydraulic problems and there were reports late last year that the company needed a cash injection. In his statement last evening, Burns said the aircraft and staff have performed extremely well and are willing and able to continue to provide affordable transport across the Caribbean and beyond but cannot.
“Unlike the heavily subsidised airlines that serve the region, REDjet does not receive any assistance. As indicated, REDjet is hopeful that we will be given a small part of the state assistance others receive, as it will allow us to get our recently approved and exciting new routes established and profitable,” Burns said. He added that once this happens, the airline’s shareholders and staff will do their utmost to see that there is no return to high fares and business as usual.
“We have seen other carriers drastically cut their fares in an effort to shut down REDjet and return to high fares and business as usual with no regard to the negative impact on travellers. Unlike us, they do not have to be profitable to stay in business,” Burns further said. He asserted that in spite of the subsidized efforts of the other airlines, REDjet’s passenger numbers continued to rise because of excellent service and affordable prices.
The CEO said REDjet has no alternative but to suspend flights from today until further notice. All passengers booked on any REDjet flight from today should contact the call centre 24 hours before scheduled departure time for an update on their flight status, he said.
The statement said the refund procedure can take up to three weeks and persons would have to complete a refund request on the airline’s website and email to service@flyredjet.com. Alternatively, a refund request with passenger names and booking reference numbers can be submitted to: REDjet, P.O. Box 6072AP, Barbados. Further announcements regarding service will be made on Monday. All tickets for future travel remain valid.
“REDjet sincerely apologises for the disruption and distress this temporary cessation of flights will cause and looks forward to serving you in the future,” the statement said. It thanked the passengers and supporters for enabling the airline “to achieve the tremendous feat of breaking the high fare experience of many Caribbean passengers, while increasing regional travel numbers for the first time in decades.
“We at REDjet set out to deliver the Caribbean’s first affordable air service and we have successfully launched a small number of routes that have in their performance, demonstrated the necessity and popularity for a low fares service in the region,” the statement said.
