[UPDATED] PM: Caribbean Airlines may fly charters overseas

COREY CONNELLY and NARISSA FRASER

Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) may soon begin scaled-down charters to cater to people who were due to return to overseas destinations but were forced to remain in TT when the borders were closed to prevent the spread of covid19.

The Prime Minister made the statement on Saturday during a news conference at the Scarborough Library, Tobago.

He was responding to a question about whether there are any plans in place for the state carrier to resume its operations regionally and internationally.

“You may very well see the first actions of Caribbean Airlines doing quasi or semi charters where we pool people together, bring them out, pool people together bring them in, using Caribbean Airlines,” Dr Rowley said.

“But for schedules and bookings, you probably have to wait a little longer. But I know Caribbean Airlines is readying itself to provide that service as soon as it is safe and feasible.”

The Prime Minister said the Government is maintaining CAL at great expense to the taxpayer “in readiness for its utilisation at the earliest opportunity.”

He added: “Caribbean Airlines, looking at the outside world, would be operational at the first opportunity it gets because it is costing us money now to keep Caribbean Airlines now where it is, maintained and not working.”

Dr Rowley said the airline is “not going outside because of the level of risk involved or the unacceptable economics of just going in one direction.”

In a statement on Saturday, CAL said it completed its second phase of repatriation flights for Caribbean nationals who were granted exemptions to return to their countries.

The airline said a total of 276 people, inclusive of Guyanese and Jamaican nationals, returned to their countries between Thursday and Friday. From that total, it said 144 were farmworkers who were facilitated on a “special charter service between Kingston, Jamaica and Miami.”

It said on Sunday, there will be more repatriation flights to facilitate movement between Trinidad, Guyana and Curacao.

“This service will see numerous Guyana nationals being repatriated out of Curacao,” it said.

"Caribbean Airlines operates its schedule of repatriation flights in strict compliance with the instructions of the public health authorities, enforcing the most stringent hygiene practices, adhering to all the current international guidelines, to combat covid19.”

But the airline made it clear that repatriation flights are not the same as regular, commercial flights. As such, those who wish to use these services need to be granted an official exemption.

Since TT’s borders were closed on March 22, other than cruise ship staff, the TT nationals who were granted exemptions have all been within the Caribbean region.

There are still nationals in other countries including Cuba, India, the US and the UK who wish to return home.

CAL chief operations officer Steve Azevedo said the airline recognises its role during such a time.

“Over the past week, in partnership with several regional authorities, we have been able to take hundreds of people to their home countries and we will continue to work with Caribbean governments to operate flights to repatriate as many people as possible.

“Additionally, we are appreciative of our dedicated essential staff and crews across our networks for their joint co-ordination of our repatriation services. We hope to soon restore our scheduled operations, and continue to work closely with authorities, ever mindful of the challenges being faced across the region and globally due covid19.”

This story was originally published with the title "Caribbean Airlines flies 276 people to regional countries" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Caribbean Airlines has completed its second phase of repatriation flights for Caribbean nationals who were granted exemptions to return to their countries.

In a press release on Saturday, the airline said a total of 276 people, inclusive of Guyanese and Jamaican nationals, returned to their countries between Thursday and Friday. From that total, it said 144 were farmworkers who were facilitated on a “special charter service between Kingston, Jamaica and Miami.”

It said on Sunday, there will be more repatriation flights to facilitate movement between Trinidad, Guyana and Curacao.

“This service will see numerous Guyana nationals being repatriated out of Curacao,” it said.

"Caribbean Airlines operates its schedule of repatriation flights in strict compliance with the instructions of the public health authorities, enforcing the most stringent hygiene practices, adhering to all the current international guidelines, to combat covid19.”

But the airline made it clear that repatriation flights are not the same as regular, commercial flights. As such, those who wish to use these services need to be granted an official exemption.

Since TT’s borders were closed on March 22, other than cruise ship staff, the TT nationals who were granted exemptions have all been within the Caribbean region.

There are still nationals in other countries including Cuba, India, the US and the UK who wish to return home.

Caribbean Airlines chief operations officer Steve Azevedo said the airline recognises its role during such a time.

“Over the past week, in partnership with several regional authorities, we have been able to take hundreds of people to their home countries and we will continue to work with Caribbean governments to operate flights to repatriate as many people as possible.

“Additionally, we are appreciative of our dedicated essential staff and crews across our networks for their joint co-ordination of our repatriation services. We hope to soon restore our scheduled operations, and continue to work closely with authorities, ever mindful of the challenges being faced across the region and globally due covid19.”