…lashes out at Caribbean Airlines
THE Ministry of Tourism is extremely disappointed with the manner in which Guyanese stranded in Trinidad were treated by Caribbean Airlines and find it inexcusable for them to be held up in Trinidad while other destinations in the Caribbean are being serviced. At a news conference at his office yesterday, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad lashed out at the treatment meted out to stranded Guyanese passengers by the airline, saying:  “We are very disappointed with the manner in which Guyanese were treated, as they were misled into leaving Canada.”
“They should have been informed that there was no connection and the flight should not have departed Toronto in the first instance.”
The situation arose after scores of Guyanese became stranded in Trinidad after several Caribbean Airlines and Delta Airline flights originating from Canada and North America were grounded due to severe weather conditions.
According to Prashad, he began to receive complaints from Guyanese stranded in Trinidad, after which he made contact with the manager of Caribbean Airlines in Guyana, Carl Stewart, who explained that there was back-up of flights resulting from the weather conditions in New York.
He said, “We acknowledged the weather conditions and the fact that safety and security are important, but the problem is several Guyanese were stranded in Trinidad coming from Canada and were stuck for more than 24 hours.”
Prashad explained that the problem with the Caribbean Airline flight out of Toronto was that they (the Airline) were aware of the situation in New York and yet allowed the passengers to travel to Trinidad, promising that there would be flights to bring them to Guyana.
“That was a disaster, because there were no flights, and there was no information as to when the next flight would leave, the situation was chaotic in Trinidad, we are saying that this should not have happened,” the Minister said.
Alluding to the treatment that the stranded Guyanese passengers received, Prashad said, “Guyanese should not be treated in this manner and Caribbean Airlines has done this before.”
He pointed out that the temporary solution of finding accommodation for the stranded passengers while in Trinidad was not enough, since some provision could have been made for the flights directly on to Guyana.
“There were flights coming in to Trinidad that were servicing other areas and not Guyana, and that was a major problem,” he declared.
According to Prashad, after lodging several complaints with the management of the Airline, assurances were given that the situation would be alleviated.
Four Caribbean Airline flights and One Delta flight arrived yesterday morning, bringing several of the passengers who were stranded.
“Despite the fact that the weather conditions have improved in New York and Guyanese are now coming from Trinidad, there is still a back-up,” the Minister informed, adding, “I think I will lodge a formal complaint to the head office about this type of treatment.”

National Carrier
Minister Prashad pointed out that the situation raises the question of the Guyanese Government seriously considering getting back into the airline business.
“We are seriously contemplating and are in discussions about getting back into the airline business, the President (Bharrat Jagdeo) has hinted this before and we have to work towards that, since we cannot tolerate the situation where Guyanese are treated with scant respect,” Prashad said.
“There are a lot of carriers who have shown an interest in coming to Guyana, such as Jet Blue and Red Jet, which started operations out of Barbados since December, with the link to Guyana to be established early next year.”
This link, he indicated, stands to help tremendously since most of the problem is getting on to Guyana from Barbados and Trinidad.