Saith in dark on Cabinet agenda

Saith also confirmed that Panamanian air carrier Copa Airlines will be starting flights into Trini-dad and Tobago in July but said this was not connected to the ongoing restructuring exercise at BWIA.

In a telephone interview yesterday, the minister said he had not read his cabinet notes and, therefore, had no idea what would be on the table for discussion when Cabinet meets this morning.

Informed about the Aviation Communica-tion and Allied Workers Union’s concerns that none of BWIA’s trade unions has seen a draft of the plan, Saith said the unions needed to speak to BWIA about the details. The minister has said the plan is a work in progress, adding the Government would not become involved until an agreement is reached by all stakeholders.

Commenting on Trade and Industry Minister Ken Valley’s disclosure yesterday that Copa Airlines would begin flights in July, Saith said this was in not linked to the restructuring of BWIA and would not result in losses of any kind to the national airline. Valley made the announcement at the opening of the TT Manufacturers Association’s 2006 Trade and Investment Convention, at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya.

Saith added that Copa was making a business decision to fly to TT and permission for it to do so was a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority.