The report said that the Bridgetown-based airline which stopped flying suddenly last month over what it said were unfair subsidies to other airlines has been in touch with Guyana’s Minister of Works, Robeson Benn on the request.
The Nation’s report said that Benn confirmed on Saturday that his ministry, along with the Ministry of Tourism, met with the carrier’s chief executive officer Ian Burns last week.
Benn told the Barbadian newspaper, in a telephone interview, that the government had not made any decision on the finance request from REDjet.
In its statement discontinuing service in the middle of March, the airline, which had attracted much business because of its low fares said: “The shareholders and staff of REDjet wish to sincerely thank all our passengers and supporters for enabling our 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.
“Our aircraft and our dedicated staff are performing extremely well and we are willing and able to continue to provide affordable transport across the Caribbean and beyond but we 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. Once this happens, our 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.
“In spite of their subsidised efforts, our passenger numbers have continued to rise because you, our patrons, enjoy our clean, comfortable and well maintained aircraft as well as our excellent service delivered at affordable ticket prices”, the airline said.
