Lead Editor-Politics
akash.samaroo@cnc3.co.tt
Four Independent Senators are backing Government’s consideration to introduce unsubsidised flights on the domestic airbridge, a move that could see fares for some flights double.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has confirmed to Guardian Media that the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism is currently conducting a feasibility study that will see the introduction of at least two unsubsidised Caribbean Airlines (CAL) flights during peak hours. However, she underscored that it is not yet at the Cabinet level. Line minister Satyakama Maharaj on Thursday said those tickets could cost around $1,000.
Speaking outside of the Red House yesterday, Independent Senator Sophia Chote, when asked for her opinion on the matter, said, “This is the first time I’m hearing of it but I don’t think it’s a bad idea at all. If there are people who can afford to pay the cost of the unsubsidised flight, then by all means they should be allowed to do so.”
Chote said people have the power of choice and she does not believe it would be a harmful measure.
Minister Maharaj on Thursday described the $,1000 fee as “nothing” to pay.
Chote yesterday said she did not think he was being tone deaf.
“We still have freedom of expression in this country. I think they’re entitled to express their views but as far as I’m concerned, I don’t see the option as being a harmful one. It may actually benefit the ability to move from one island to the other.”
Meanwhile, Independent Senator Courtney McNish called the initiative under review a “creative idea.”
“If people can afford it, the unsubsidised price, then they will make use of it. I suppose when it comes into play, they’ll have to see how it operates to see whether it’s worth having those flights on. It’s a big increase. What it tells you is the degree of subsidisation that the flights to Tobago are to the government. But I think it’s a creative idea.”
He, however, cautioned against removing the subsidy altogether.
“It would be very difficult to remove that subsidy altogether, in my view. I think it would cause an uproar. The subsidy may be reduced, but I think to remove it altogether would be something the Government would have to give serious thought to, if they want to do this.”
McNish said he would support a hybrid system.
“There are people who may be able to afford it. They may have to go to Tobago urgently, and they don’t mind paying $1,000. Well, let’s see how that works. But if the flights are only half-full or quarter-full, they may have to rethink that one again.”
Independent Senator Anthony Vieira said he also had no problem with having the option to pay more for a priority flight. However, he said his concern lies with Minister Maharaj’s statement that the domestic route could be opened up to foreign air carriers.
“Now, in air service agreements, where countries negotiate the rights, there’s something called Carbotage. Carbotage relates to the right for a country to control air traffic within its borders. So, for example, CAL can go to the States at Miami or Atlanta. It goes in, and it comes out, but it doesn’t fly from Atlanta to Chicago and Chicago to Washington.”
He added, “If we are going to allow that to happen, then it would mean we would have to renegotiate those air service agreements. But it would also, I think, deny the opportunity to local entrepreneurs to being able to set up their own carriers to handle that domestic route.”
And Independent Senator Michael Simon Victor de la Bastide described the proposal as a “reasonable compromise.”
“I understand that Caribbean Airlines is making significant losses, if I’m correct. And I think something has to be done. And with probably the fuel prices going up with the war in Iran, it sounds like a reasonable compromise.”
