T-T to Inject More Funds into BWIA; the Airline Is Stopping Flights

The Trinidad and Tobago government will be injecting an estimated US$37.15 million into the cash-strapped national airline, BWIA, even as it laid down more stringent measures to help keep the ailing airline in the skies.

Public Administration Minister Dr. Lenny Saith recently indicated that the airline would stop flying to Cuba, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Belfast, Curacao, Manchester and that new managerial staff would not be hired.

BWIA is discontinuing these flights for the moment and initiating the process of putting in a BWIA jet flight in Caracas (Venezuela).

He said a Cabinet appointed six-member Task Force, headed by businessman Arthur Lok Jack, would evaluate three options available to the airline for its future viability before submitting a report to Government by month end.

He said that the decision to assist the airline was made bearing in mind that the summer period was the airline´s peak season, insisting that it can continue to fly to meet its creditors´ obligations and honor its obligation to the traveling public.

The Trinidad and Tobago government regained control of the airline last year after it had been privatised in 1995.