Govt. blasts Caribbean Airlines over “outrageous” ticket prices

Jun 13, 2013 News

Government yesterday blasted Caribbean Airlines for “outrageous” increases in ticket prices by Caribbean Airlines (CAL).
According to the Tourism Minister (ag), Irfaan Ali, the increases have been arbitrary.
“We are extremely dissatisfied with the arbitrary increases in prices for tickets. In some cases a 50-minute flight to Trinidad and Tobago costs US$425,” Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Irfaan Ali stated.
He noted, too, that Caribbean Airlines position in the Guyana market should have been looked at from a corporate responsibility perspective and not an opportunity to rake in profits as a result of the high demand here.
According to the Ministry, the Government of Guyana is working on securing other airlines to end the “monopolistic position” that now exists. The Ministry urged for a sense of corporate ethics and responsibility in the way business is done.
“We are well acquainted with the fact that the Trinidad market is not required to pay the increases demanded from the Guyanese market, and it has been proven that the Guyanese market is one of the strongest for Caribbean Airlines. In light of this, we believe that we should be treated as special customers; the least that we would want is to have equal and fair treatment on par with the Trinidad market,” Ali asserted.
Caribbean Airlines had taken up the slack and added flights since the exit of EZjet last year and Delta’s earlier this year.
Government even announced its decision to grant CAL flag carrier status for Guyana.
“In light of this, the Guyana Government had pledged to work with the regional carrier to strengthen ties that would lead to stronger regional integration. There were assurances from CAL that the airline was committed to “keeping the fare structure of Caribbean Airlines”, which would mean no additional increase in the cost of tickets.”
According to Minister Ali, the interest remains in ensuring that the tourism sector remains vibrant and to ensure that air transport does not become a hindrance to travel to and from Guyana.
CAL, owned by the Trinidad government, is reportedly facing financial problems, despite being heavily subsidized by that government.