Caribbean Airlines soars for immediate goals

Chairman of Caribbean Airlines George Nicholas III has listed a number of significant developments, some of which have already taken place and others are expected to be delivered in the very short term.

He talked about establishing new routes and acquiring the aircraft necessary to fly those routes; he spoke proudly about the profits the “two brand” airline had made this year; he spoke glowingly about his staff in both the Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica operations and profusely thanked them.

Nicholas, attempting to allay the fears of the public about the airline’s negative impact on the country’s treasury, boasted of the airline’s ability to pay for its aircraft.

“I am very proud to announce that we have fully paid for this ATR and the others from our internal cash flow,” he said.

He said based on the figures he had been shown, should end the year with a profit of $200 million.

The Air Jamaica brand on the other hand, Nicholas revealed, had “made the first ever consecutive profit in Air Jamaica’s 50-year history, of several million US dollars.” He did not however disclose any specific figures.

The chairman also spoke about the airline’s expansion plans, which include increasing the current staff total of 2600 to close to 3000, inclusive of both brands and creating air links to Mumbai, India in 2012, as well as two countries on the African continent, South Africa and Nigeria and the new industrial power in South America – Brazil.

But the announcement that brought the loudest applause from the audience was Nicholas’ positive statement that CAL would be resuming services to London through Gatwick, come June next year.

While the chairman’s first wish was to return to London Heathrow, using the modern B-777 aircraft, this was not now possible and it is expected that the new service would be operated by the two B-767 aircraft, which should arrive in Trinidad by next March.

With a face reflecting great pride and a sense of accomplishment, Nicholas announced the airline’s “Under Our Wings” programme had been well-received. The programme sets aside (US)$5 from every ticket sold to the Prime Minister’s Children’s Life Fund. He added that ways and means were now being considered, whereby passengers on their own can also give to the Fund while being a passenger on any of CAL’s services.

Some other positives coming from the chairman were:

A third hub in the Caribbean, on the road to developing a “hub and spoke” operation; the country was not named;

Establishment of new stations. He said 2012 would be “the year of new stations”;

Establishment of services to possibly two new gateways in the United States. (none were named); and

New products and new thinking to improve customer service.

In closing, Chairman Nicholas said, “We are a great nation in one of the most beautiful places on earth, I welcome your continued support and look forward to our sharing this great success story with the world.”

http://www.newsday.co.tt