Beyond CAL blame game

THE EDITOR: Let me state from the onset that I am not an aviation expert, which is why I won’t be commenting on the salaries of CAL’s pilots or that of its executives.

I am, however, a citizen facing issues because of the recent disruption and, fancying myself a problem-solver, I want to address a few items.

The first thing that needs to be ascertained and shared with the public is how much is the "real" cost of CAL servicing the air bridge, since this would make clear just what taxpayers are being asked to shoulder, and it may help determine if there is room for other carriers to compete in the market that is monopolised by CAL.

This is the suggestion I heard from a THA representative, and on the face of it there is merit as competition for TSTT/bmobile, as an example, has led to tremendous gains for the public, taxpayers, and for bmobile itself as it appears it is more efficiently run.

The caveat to this, however, is: would it make sense for an international carrier to enter into a market simply to service travel between two islands? I suspect not, but using the principle of economies of scale, it may make economic sense for the carrier if the entire Eastern Caribbean, West Indies, or even the Caribbean market was on the table.

So, the conversation may not only be about CAL, but LIAT as well, which invites even more political considerations, given the historical and cultural context, as well as the independence and sovereignty arguments.

Notwithstanding this, the most potent by-product of competition has always been reduced cost to the customers, which is why domestic travel prices in the US can be as low as US$50 a ticket. And with comparative costs like what we see with domestic US flights, our region could see increased travel between the islands and from international visitors, enhancing market size, improving trade and tourism, and better bonding between regional neighbours.

Passenger safety would also be a determining factor, of course, as CAL has a near unblemished record. But in the end problem-finding, which most Trinidadians/Tobagonians seem to be remarkably good at, should give way to problem-solving, a woefully underutilised skill set in our country.

This is why I fully endorse the THA’s scheduled proposed stakeholder meeting set to take place this week, but I caution that those in attendance look at the big picture and not just at narrow self-interests.

TIM TEEMAL

St James