BWIA flights on schedule

According to Clint Williams, Corporate Communications Manager of BWIA, the airline is fully functional following the seizure of two 737 jets by lessors International Lease and Finance Corporation (ILFC) earlier this week. Williams informed  Newsday that the Airline had recovered the planes and is continuing all regularly scheduled flights. He added that the negative impact of the seizure was “not too significant”. “There were a few cancellations, however they were picked up by other passengers who displayed their great confidence in the airline,” said Williams. Regarding the 120 days of “breathing space” offered to the airline by the ILFC, he said he did not wish to speculate about how prepared the company would be to meet their US$ 5.5 million debt. He gave assurance however, that the airline would work assiduously towards paying the money on time.

There were reports that many creditors of the airline had made calls for monies owed to them in light of the situation. Williams was able to confirm the reports and said, “People must understand that the airline needs time to recover.” He continued, “They should not move to crush the airline by calling for all their money in a time of crisis.” ILFC officials, who were in the country to negotiate a plan with the Government, are set to leave the country today. Junior Finance Minister Christine Sahadeo informed the Newsday that they will be returning within a week to continue negotiations and finalise a feasible work plan. The four month grace period represents BWIA’s most profitable season. Meanwhile a BWIA plane flying to New York City was reportedly grounded in Barbados yesterday due to engine trouble, its passengers eventually being transported by Air Jamaica.