Can’t we all just get along?

The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) does not agree with BWIA’s claim that the cancellation of Caribbean Star Airlines’ licence to operate the airbridge would have little impact on the route.

Assemblyman Neil Wilson, whose portfolio includes tourism, said he did not agree with the statement made last week by BWIA spokesman Clint Williams that Caribbean Star’s presence has had very little impact on BWIA’s operations on the airbridge. In spite of this however, BWIA, Tobago Express and hotelier Allan Clovis have requested a public hearing to raise their concerns about Caribbean Star’s continued service on the route. Wilson said, “During the last couple of weeks, there were all kinds of problems and I don’t know that Tobago Express can handle the demand.” He added, “The official position of the THA is that the more carriers on the route the better it is for the travelling public.”

Contacted in Antigua yesterday, Paul Moreira, President and Chief Operating Officer of Caribbean Star, said about the airbridge service, “We are extremely satisfied that in a very short period of time, we have been able to develop a great load factor and we look forward to continuing the service and even possibly increase frequency.” Moreira thought it unfortunate that while the Caribbean governments were forging ahead with efforts at integration, “there is a Caribbean carrier that would take up a position to have another carrier stopped from providing service on that route.” He added that while the governments were talking cooperation between airlines in the region, “here is BWIA taking action against another Caribbean carrier.”

According to a handling agent at Piarco International airport, since Caribbean Star started providing service on the airbridge, it has provided critical cargo capacity on the route, which had not been available in the past. While BWIA and Tobago Express are griping about cabotage, the extra capacity provided by Caribbean Star during the just concluded vacation season and its extra sections over the longer holiday weekends have allowed passengers, an ease in the stress traditionally associated with holiday travel on the airbridge. The Air Transport Licensing Authority (ATLA), since its decision to hold a public hearing, has not set a date for such a hearing. Chairman Ram Bissessar said two weeks ago that it should be scheduled before September 15, which is just days away, but there has been no word from the Authority.