LIAT offers assistance to affected passengers
The decision by low cost carrier REDjet to suspend all flights until further notice has been met with differing opinions from the public.
On Friday night, the airline issued a statement announcing its decision to suspend flights “from 11:59 p.m. until further notice”.
This is, according to the statement issued by Chief Executive Officer Ian Burns, due to the fact that the airline has not been receiving government assistance, unlike other regional carriers.
“REDjet is hopeful that we will be given a small part of the State assistance others receive, as it will allow us to get our recently approved and exciting new routes established and profitable. Once this happens, our shareholders and staff will do their utmost to see that there is no return to high fares and business as usual,” he stated.
Affected passengers have been offered refunds or given the option to travel with REDjet upon resumption of service.
On the company’s Facebook page, scores of persons commented on the action, many who continued to give their support to the Barbados-based carrier.
“Redjet I’m standing by your side until you start back. I am confident and have faith that the government will do what is right to assist you by levelling the playing field and providing the grounds for equal competition and assistance,” one individual said.
Others, however, maintained that the low-cost model was not sustainable as one gentleman stated: “Cheap fares are not realistic and I agree are excellent for consumers, but simply cannot be maintained on a consistent basis in order for an airline to be profitable.”
Meanwhile, stranded passengers expressed their hopes for a speedy resolution to continue their travel plans.
Speaking during Parliament on Friday night, moments after the announcement, Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy stated that he wants to see the carrier resume operations.
“We don’t have any problem with REDjet along the lines that we have with other airlines. Of course, we can only have that relationship if they are operating and it is my sincere hope that everything can be sorted so they can resume operations as soon as possible,” he remarked.
LIAT offer
Meanwhile, regional carrier LIAT has since offered to assist REDjet passengers affected by the suspension of flights.
In a statement issued last night by Corporate Communications Manager Desmond Brown, LIAT said it has made special arrangements for REDjet passengers “in its commitment to the carriage of persons throughout the Caribbean.”
It advised that travellers could contact the LIAT Call Centre to make bookings on LIAT by quoting their REDjet booking reference/confirmation number in order to be entitled to purchase a new ticket at a special fare “in these unfortunate circumstances”
(Source http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=business&NewsID=23492)
