FROM exorbitant ticket prices to the unavailability of seats – Caribbean Airlines (CAL) continues to provide an unjustifiable service to the Guyanese travelling public.

The airline has failed in its pledge, made in 2012 when it received flagship status, to rise to the challenge for increased seating into and out of the country and provide additional capacity during the peak seasons.
Now, unless a citizen can afford a first- class ticket that costs over US$2,500, the next available flight to New York, the state where a significant percentage of the Guyanese Diaspora live, is until next month.
This is truly disturbing news.
Calls to several travel agencies confirmed what many Guyanese, who wish to make emergency or medical trips to the Apple State, have been told.
One of the country’s most reputable travel agencies, Muneshwer’s, had one economy seat available on August 21, but the agent was unable to find a return flight for the passenger for the date she requested. The individual’s only choice is to spend two extra weeks in New York instead of the five days she had initially planned.
Likewise, Frandec Travel Service in Georgetown could only give a confirmation date until the second week in September. “We are booked solid,” one of its agents explained.
Angelina’s Travel Agency, located at Parika, will take bookings until the first week in September. Calls to other travel agencies in Georgetown and Berbice tell a familiar story – no flights to New York until September.    
Herein lies the problem.CAL would have been aware of the increased traffic during this peak period and should have put measures in place to cushion the impact. After all, they have been literally “bleeding” Guyanese dry with the prices for the Guyana-New York route.  
So Guyanese have to face the brunt of the airline’s action. Heads should roll at CAL for the incompetence and blatant disrespect for the Guyanese people.
What is interesting though is that Irfaan Ally, the country’s acting Tourism Minister is taking the ‘bull by the horns’ when it comes to CAL.  
Known for his outspokenness, Minister Ally has voiced his displeasure over the hike in ticket prices and has hinted that CAL’s flagship status could be revoked. Let’s hope this little insinuation would prompt, as the adage goes, CAL to pull up its socks.