Caribbean Airlines prepares for border reopening

Caribbean Airlines has begun to put measures in place for the reopening of TT's borders, which have been closed since March 22 as a preventative measure implemented by the government to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The airline revealed that it already has social distancing protocols in place for domestic flights that will continue when borders reopen to international flights. In a statement on Tuesday, the airline said social distancing on flights "will be practised at check-in, on board and other areas once international service resumes."

The statement said CAL's cabins are currently being cleaned with chemicals that "meet the requirements of the World Health Organization, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control," as being effective against the covid19 virus.

CEO of the airline Garvin Medera said, "We assure you that Caribbean Airlines' aircraft are sanitised above international standards." Medera said the crew monitors the air quality in the cabins. He also said the Boeing 737 jet fleet is "equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that capture 99.97 percent of particles."

He said high-contact surfaces such as tray tables, seatbelts and armrests are cleaned before every flight and at every station. Passenger loads will also be limited and crews will "operate in full compliance with the instructions of the Public Health and other authorities in the jurisdictions in which the airline operates."

Another statement issued by the airline said its Barbados ticket office will reopen on May 6. The statement said owing to covid19 restrictions, opening hours will be limited until further notice. Operating hours at the Norman Centre Building in Bridgetown will be from Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm.

The statement said city and airport ticket offices at all other Caribbean Airlines destinations in the US, Canada, the Caribbean and South America will remain closed until further notice.