Guyana among affected destinations…
REDjet to cut 54 flights from schedule
FLIGHTS to Guyana, Trinidad, Jamaica and Barbados are among 54 that would be affected when low-fares airline REDjet cuts its schedule from March 1. The NATION newspaper in Barbados said the carrier will introduce three new routes this year, while cancelling more than 50, but Chief Executive Officer Ian Burns said the move is not due to financial troubles.
The report quoted him as saying the company is on budget and the adjustments would merely facilitate improved flight times.
“Flights are being cancelled but most are being put to a new flight time. Our market research shows that it was inconvenient for people to make it to the airport during high traffic times, especially in Trinidad and Jamaica,” Burns said.
Last November, REDjet largest Barbados investor, Ralph ‘Bizzy’ Williams disclosed that excessive delays had sabotaged the airline’s progress, fuelling speculation that the low-fare model is unsustainable.
A leaked internal memo from the carrier’s Customer Service Department stated that the flights would be cancelled for commercial reasons.
However, REDjet said, in a statement, that passengers can expect to benefit from new and more convenient flight times and the launch of three new routes to two new destinations in time for Easter 2012.
The Barbados-based airline said it has added a third MD-80 aircraft to its fleet and hired additional pilots in preparation.
“These investments combined with the expansion of its call centre, maintenance department and operations team will enable the airline to comfortably deliver these new services and provide a safe and reliable operation for its passengers,” the statement assured.
“In addition, external factors, such as traffic to and from the airport around flight times and capacity constraints at some airports around peak times of the day, will be greatly improved,” it promised.
REDjet, which began serving the Region in May last year, operates seven routes across the Caribbean and plans to launch up to eight new ones in 2012.