REDjet grounded until safety standards met

REDjet’s delay in launching its low-cost service to T&T and Jamaica comes from its failure to meet the country’s safety standards. But once the Barbados-based carrier can meet the safety requirements of the Jamaica and T&T’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), then it would be granted approval to fly into the islands. That’s the general consensus of three ministers of transport—Barbados’ George Hutson, Jamaica’s Michael Henry and T&T’s Jack Warner. The three Ministers of Works met yesterday morning in a bid to avert a potential “war of the skies” in the region.

They are expected to report to their respective Prime Ministers on their progress. The final decision, though, lies with the respective Prime Ministers. The T&T Guardian was told that Warner was granted time off from yesterday’s Cabinet meeting to resolve the issue. REDjet has been delayed in its bid to offer cheap airfare to the region after it failed to secure permission to fly to T&T and Jamaica. For the moment, REDjet’s services are limited to Barbados to Guyana.

 “One of the legacies we in the Caribbean have is our safety record and we must do nothing to damage our record and if it is taking time, then we will do it. Our civil aviation department has some concerns. It could take a week. It could take two,” said Warner. It was Hutson who addressed Warner’s saftey concerns, pointing out that Barbados took several months to check and ensure that REDjet conformed to best practices and standards in terms of regulations. “There are a few safety issues that we need to be worked on and I am sure that once those issues have been addressed the operation of the aircraft in respect of those jurisdictions should proceed. We have agreements between our respective states in terms of the various rights involved. But I am sure that once we address those outstanding issues (safety) that we will have the aircraft flying between these countries,” promised Hutson.

Hutson said: “Safety checks are carried out routinely. It is the responsibility of the individual civil aviation authorities to do so within the regulations that exist. It is quite within the rights of Jamaica and Trinidad authorities to do checks. We have to put safety at the forefront. Safety is the over-riding consideration.”

Meanwhile, Jamaica’s Minister of Works stated : “I didn't come here to focus on a single airline. We are looking at new markets to ensure that we increase that connectivity of airlines between the island and the rest of the world. On the issue of safety, we have a technical team that will have to review and report back to our cabinets.” On Tuesday, Trade and Indstry Minister Stephen Cadiz said that long before the REDjet situation became “a whole big circus,” discussions should have been held by the regional governments on the issue.