–  with introductory fares starting from US$9.99
REDjet, the Caribbean’s first low-fare airline which offers Guyanese the welcome opportunity to travel without the restriction of high fares, was officially launched yesterday at the Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown.
This new airline is offering ‘shocking’ introductory fares starting from US$9.99 one-way, excluding Government taxes and other charges, as well as seats below US$50, which are available on every flight on every route.
The new airline has also promised to offer superior reliability, non-stop flights and the lowest fares, as well as the most convenient and most affordable way to travel in the Caribbean.
During the launching ceremony of the Guyana leg yesterday, REDjet’s Director of Business Development, Robbie Burns, explained the workings of the low-fare airline to members of the media present.
He said, “15 % of the seats will be available at this low rate and fares on average will be launched below US$50 which will be over 60% cheaper than other airlines operating out of Guyana.”
According to Burns, the launch of the airline’s operations here, which facilitates flights to Barbados, Trinidad, and Jamaica,   marks the permanent end to high airfares out of Guyana.
He pointed out that there would be four flights a week to Barbados beginning in May, after which flights will be conducted to Trinidad with additional routes being included by the end of 2011.
The director emphasized that the company has received regulatory approvals from the relevant authorities to commence service at this time.
‘‘People can book now for the lowest fares and pay for them between the 21- 29 April; this means persons can now visit the website and make reservations.”
In this regard, he announced that a wide range of payment facilities would be set up to cater for all Guyanese desirous of travelling to any of the destinations. This includes a partnership with telecommunications service provider, Digicel.
“We will be launching particular desks in select Digicel retail locations throughout the country; people will be able to pay online, via our call centre, selected travel agents and if you don’t have access to these services or you do not want to use a credit card you will be able to pay cash at any Bill Direct location across the country,” he highlighted.
As to the overall goal of such concessions, especially in the local market, Burns explained that the airline caters for consumers as it has been noted  for  some time that high fares have been charged for  regional travel, which has had a huge negative impact on the economies and the social fabric of the Caribbean.
“We are here to make a very strong statement that we are here to bring competition which  will result in not just lowest fares on REDjet but that there will be  deals for consumers on all airlines, which has already started to happen,” Burns explained.

He pointed out that Guyana has, traditionally, been the most expensive country in the region to fly to and from.
“…airlines in the region acted prohibitively against the market in providing a fair price to consumers (but) we make a commitment here today that our fares, on our routes from Guyana, would equal our fares on other routes across the region,” Burns declared.
He noted too that while intra-regional travel has fallen over 30 percent due to the global recession in the last five years, fares out of Guyana have increased over 50 percent, a trend which is totally inconsistent with what has been seen with intra-regional travel across the globe, where low-fare airlines have entered the market and have drastically cut the price of travel.
Burns gave his assurances to customers who will utilize REDjet’s services that they will experience  unbeatable, low fares, non-stop flights, they will not be charged  compulsory fees, added to which their  service  will be easy to access.
“Our vision and goal for Guyana is that everyone should be able to travel regardless of the reason. We are aiming to launch a series of bases throughout the region to create a Pan-Caribbean low fares airline linking the Caribbean together for the first time with affordable fares…, he said, adding “our goal is to create easy, affordable and reliable (air) transport.”
The airline has two MD -82 jet aircraft  which are fitted  with 149 seats and are powered  by two JT8D-217A engines and the airline intends to open bases across the region  as it develops routes to exciting  destinations across the Caribbean.
The company, founded in 2006 by Robbie and Ian Burns, is privately owned and incorporated in St.Lucia while its corporate offices are situated in Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados. The company employs close to 100 people from nine countries and territories.
REDjet’s ambition is to strive continuously to lower fares even further and to make air travel affordable for everyone.
Customers can now visit the website, www.flyREDjet .com to make reservations or to check out flights and fare information.