ALL payment of refunds to passengers and settling of debts racked up by REDjet after it ceased operating earlier this year will, hopefully, come to an end in April 2013.

That timeline would mark one year since the refunding process started, using the US$200,000 (G$40M)  bond that was lodged by the airline prior to it commencing operations in this country, according to Principal Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works, Mr. Derrick Jodhan.
Hundreds of Guyanese began collecting their cheques from the ministry on November 22 and the payout is continuing at the ministry’s Accounts Department in Georgetown.
Last Thursday, Jodhan explained, to the Guyana Chronicle, that while the ministry has already signed cheques for those names appearing on the preliminary list which was sent by REDjet, there is still need for more monies to be paid.
He said there was another listing that was disapproved by the airline and, after it was sent back for further clarification, returned with the names of approximately 40 more persons to be refunded.
However, Jodhan said there are more possible recipients to be approved by REDjet, they having purchased tickets online using credit cards and been promised their repayment when their names are sent to the ministry.

SOME CLARIFICATION
There is to be some clarification, for the ministry, by their airline as to why those claimants were not initially approved for the benefit, he pointed out.
As a result, the ministry will, be sending the airline a reminder about the issue.
Jodhan made it clear that the further payout is not a problem since Guyana has only tapped into $26M of the of the $40M bond deposited by the airline.
But some persons, who genuinely paid for tickets, will not be able to get back their money because they did not claim during the period the ministry had invited them to do so.
Jodhan said he has seen genuine cases about which the ministry can do nothing at this time as the invitation to make claims was advertised extensively in the press and cannot now be reopened.
Last Friday, this newspaper spoke with several beneficiaries of the refund, many of whom were high in praise for the efforts by the ministry to help them get the much needed cash, especially at this Christmas time when they have added expenses.