WITH regard to commentary, “Caribbean Airlines cannot be trusted” (Chronicle Jan 31), I sympathized with the writer’s complaints and many Guyanese can relate to the many abuses they suffered. But I think we should judge Caribbean Airlines (CAL) by its recent actions and the initiatives of new leadership and don’t judge it by past errors and missteps.  And I don’t think we should look at the problem in a nationalist tone, or as Trini versus Guyanese.  We are integrating the region. We must look at the issue from the standpoint of business and how best to serve Guyanese.  We should also keep in mind that Guyanese fly CAL not only to JFK, but to Toronto, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Antigua, and St. Martin.  We must find ways to work with CAL to service the diaspora, not only in flights, but in ferrying our cargo as well.
Under the new political administration in Trinidad, CAL has a new team in place overseeing the airline (from September, I think). CAL is operating under a new and better management that is responsive to critiques and is determined to provide better service. They have a very competent, no-nonsense President of the board who is determined to oversee the success of the airline, based on statements attributed to and comments from him.  He understands the business model and will put it to work and he also wants to build Caribbean relations and a strong one Caribbean airline for the region.
It is not fair to hold the new management and new government for the ill treatment or disrespect of Guyanese passengers of yesteryear. The new management of CAL has committed to and has offered improved service to Guyanese passengers and we should give it a chance to see if it delivers on further improvements which are in the works.  It will take some months to deliver on commitments.
The chairman, Mr. George Nicholas, and his deputy, Mohan Jaikarran, flew to Guyana and met with the government to discuss how they can improve service.  We will have this non-stop service and I understand CAL is working on cargo flights to and from Guyana that will benefit farmers whose produce have rotted waiting for shipment. Jaikarran, a New Yorker, knows the issues facing Guyanese and will work with Mr. Nicholas to address them. So the airline is committed to Guyana and the Guyanese diaspora from which it generates a lot of business.
What we should do is suggest how we can improve air service to Guyana and meet the needs of the vast diaspora.  Criticism alone won’t work.  And since a Guyana Airline is not in the offing anytime soon (for years there are calls for a Guyana airline from JFK and Toronto without a positive response), we have no choice but to work with CAL to improve service.  The management will not be opposed to improvement of service. Let us give the Nicholas team a chance to deliver!