GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Guyana has pledged continued support to the Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines (CAL) even as it acknowledged that there is room for improvement in many areas, including local content.
“We are aware that CAL has been an extremely good partner of Guyana, but you must also accept that Guyana has been an extremely good market for CAL. It has never been a one-way street, it has always been a two-way street, and all your previous boards and CEOs would have appreciated this,” President Irfaan Ali said during a virtual meeting with senior CAL officials.
“I know that you are cutting costs and you are cutting staff, but we would like to see more involvement of Guyanese in the operations, and by that, I mean we are willing to work with you on increasing your footprint and your presence here in Guyana as part of your development plans,” he told the meeting that was attended by CAL’s chairman Ronnie Mohammed; chief executive officer Garvin Medera, general manager, general manager, Carl Stuart; and chief commercial officer, Yannis Gounaris.
Ali pointed also to the challenges with frequency and costs of flights to Canada and Miami and the issue of cargo capacity.
He said that during the pandemic the relationship continued since Guyana was kept relatively open and CAL’s operations were sustained.
“It is under these circumstances that I wanted us to engage and to have a clear understanding as to where CAL is heading. Also, ….we believe that CAL is a long and strong partner with us, and we need to find a way in which that partnership is demonstrated in a stronger way.”
Mohammed told the meeting that the airline has been a “legacy carrier” into Guyana and that the mutual friendship and relationship between Guyana and Trinidad have been maintained and sustained.
“We are eager and willing to partner deeper with our footprint in Guyana,” he added.
Last month, as part of the phased introduction of its commercial schedule, from August 6, CAL said it would begin non-stop service between Trinidad and Ogle Airport in Guyana.
The flights will operate every Friday, utilizing the airline’s ATR fleet and CAL said that the schedule is timed to facilitate morning and early afternoon departures, respectively, out of Port of Spain with same day returns
Medera sought to assure President Ali that CAL is “very willing” to continue with the push to support local content in Guyana, noting that prior to the onset of the pandemic, the airline had started recruiting Guyanese but was forced to cut back on staffing.
President Ali pointed to the importance of a clear path and plan between the government and CAL, which can be transmitted to consumers.
“We have to grow together. We need to have a technical discussion on the way forward to improve efficiency and to come up with a master plan together to share with the people in demonstration of the partnership.”
He said that the ministers at the meeting, which included Juan Edghill; Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond; Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, will engage at the technical level to craft a cohesive plan that demonstrates and strengthens the partnership while examining the opportunities ahead.
Ali said that this will help build trust and improve services in the eyes of consumers.
Earlier this month, CAL announced that its unaudited financial results for the six months ended June 2021 reflected the depressed market conditions with an operating loss of TT$326.6 million (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents).
The airline said that its performance was consistent with the same period for 2020, when it reported an operating loss of TT$331 million.
Meanwhile, CAL has announced the restart of its operations to Orlando, Florida and St Lucia.
“As the airline continues the phased introduction of its commercial schedule; from August 16, Caribbean Airlines will begin non-stop service between Trinidad and Orlando, Florida, as well as Trinidad and St Lucia. Flights to both Orlando and St Lucia will operate twice weekly, every Monday and Friday with same day return services,” CAL said in a statement.
It said that the Orlando flight will complement the airline’s current four times weekly schedule to Miami, offering customers more options to South Florida; and will be available for sale for the rest of Summer and straight through the Christmas peak season.
St Lucia will be the fifth Caribbean destination added to the schedule for direct service into/out of Trinidad; and will be serviced utilizing the airline’s ATR fleet
“Customers are asked to kindly note that travel safety protocols are in place including the mandatory wearing of face masks during check-in, while boarding and for the duration of their flight. Please note that flight schedules are subject to change,” CAL added.
