What next–after REDjet?

SO another privately-owned airline operating in the Caribbean has bitten the dust. This time it is the merely year-old REDjet which has been engaged in a high-profile competitive operation with marketing techniques as a “low-cost” carrier.
Headquartered in Barbados, REDjet was fortunate in securing permission to operate commercial services in open competition against the region’s oldest airline, LIAT.
Among governments that approved such licences to REDjet are major shareholders of LIAT. Then came last month’s sudden announcement, without any prior warning, that the airline was suspending operations as a consequence of financial losses, and that government subsidies would be needed to resume flying.
Ironically, it was LIAT that had to quickly come to the rescue of passengers (many Guyanese among them) who were stranded at various destinations as a consequence of the sudden decision by REDjet principals to suspend operations.
Before REDjet’s dilemma to remain in business, there were other short-lived airlines providing intra-regional services. Among them were carriers associated with the then BWIA and Air Jamaica and, more famously, Carib Express, a joint-venture of some governments and leading regional entrepreneurs.
Now that the civil aviation authorities in both Barbados, where REDjet is registered, and Trinidad and Tobago have revoked the operational licences of this newest air carrier, it could well result in even more intense scrutiny for private airlines — whether or not branded as low-cost—to secure permission to serve intra-regional routes.
News of the revocation of REDjet’s operational licence came first from the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority with the explanation that its decision followed awareness of a letter to REDjet on March 20 by the Barbados Civil Aviation Department to suspend its Air Operators Certificate (AOC).
That notification was delivered within four days of REDjet’s sudden indefinite suspension of all flight operations. Although it was not then publicly known, the Barbadian Prime Minister, Freundel Stuart, had disclosed to the local media on March 24 that he was willing to meet with representatives of REDjet officials to discuss “the way forward” for the grounded carrier.
Given rising fuel and related costs that are contributing to high fares for air transportation, in and out of the Caribbean, as well as for cargo deliveries, the recurring question is when will some serious initiative be taken by CARICOM Heads of Government for a much-needed extraordinary meeting on the future of this vital mode of travel?
When, indeed, will the governments of CARICOM consider the creation of a single Caribbean airline to serve the entire region, based, if necessary, on some of the visionary recommendations long submitted to changing regional administrations?

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