Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Farley Augustine has clarified that Tobago is not seeking a replacement for Caribbean Airlines to service the island.
His assurance came following news that the THA was close to finalising an agreement with an airline to provide international and local flights in and out of the island.
Augustine told Guardian Media yesterday that rather than a replacement, they are looking at alternative strategies for airlift to boost the island’s tourism product.
Augustine mentioned two possible strategies, one being wet leasing planes to work with CAL and the other being international airlift from a new airline coming to the island.
However, Augustine emphasised that he did not speak about seeking a replacement for CAL and warned against people running away with this statement.
Last week, the Chief Secretary revealed that the THA was at the final stage of an active proposal to introduce an airline company to Tobago.
Then, on Sunday, he clarified the position, saying there is no agreement yet and that the assembly is in the negotiation stage.
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority had raised concerns over its exclusion in the process.
However, Augustine said the authority will be included at the appropriate time.
In the past, Augustine had described the relationship between the THA and CAL as bittersweet, as he spoke about the efficiency and reliability of its operations on the airbridge. However, he has assured there is nothing sinister behind this latest move.