Guyana Government Expresses Concerns over Caribbean Airlines Fares, Services

The government here said it is “very concerned” over the high airfares Guyanese have to pay to travel on regional carrier Caribbean Airlines and the poor services they receive.

Government spokesman and secretary to the President Bharrat Jagdeo’s cabinet, Dr Roger Luncheon said Wednesday the issue continues to attract the attention of the cabinet.

“The cabinet resolved to continue its focus on addressing the unreasonable and unfair fare structure and service provided by Caribbean airlines to Guyanese particularly on the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to Port-of Spain (Trinidad) run” Luncheon said.

He noted that Prime Minister Samuel Hinds had intervened in the matter and discussions are ongoing, however the government is looking at creating more competitions for the carrier, with the hope that this may influence a review of the fare structures.

“There was an urge to apply market forces specifically by considering the attraction of airline competition to Caribbean airlines that run to Guyana”, Luncheon said.

President Bharrat Jagdeo in 2009 met the top management of the airlines and addressed the fare structure and services which they promised to review.

However there seems to be little or no improvement in this regard as on Tuesday Tourism Minister Manniram Prashad said Guyanese are being exploited by the airlines.

The government is also expressing concern over the removal of the manager of the airline Carton Defour without the Tourism and Commerce Ministry being informed.

Commerce Minister Manniram Prashad said on Tuesday that the government is in discussion with the airline and is seeking an explanation over De Four’s removal.