Govt to ensure REDjet passengers not left stranded

The Tourism Ministry has been in constant dialogue since last Friday with REDjet to ensure that Guyana is kept abreast of the developments taking place within the company.
Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali said on Monday his ministry will ensure that all Guyanese passengers are taken care of and not left stranded. The Barbados-based airline announced late Friday, March 16, it was suspending all flights from Saturday until further notice. After 10 months in the air, the move is a bid to protect its long-term interests, the company said.
Minister Ali said, “The situation is expected to unfold itself later this week where REDjet is in its process of reorganising. They told us that we will have the official report from the CEO on what their position is and where REDjet’s future lies.”
The report is expected by the end of this week. He emphasised that the company has been in constant contact and dialogue with the government of Guyana.
REDjet’s Director Robbie Burns, in information released to the regional media, stated that the airline has outlined a three-week process for travellers to get refunds and urged them to check the company’s website and call centre for updates.
He added that passengers booked on any REDjet flight from March 17 should contact the call centre or check the website for information about their flight 24 hours prior to departure.
No specific reasons for the shutdown were given by the privately-owned airline, but suggestions were made of expectant state assistance to continue operations and “subsidised” competitors were blamed for its troubles.
Incorporated in Barbados, REDjet took to the air with a regularly scheduled service between Barbados and Guyana in May 2011, and a service to St Lucia was introduced in February 2012, with flights to St Maarten scheduled to begin in May. The airline also had scheduled flights to and from Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.
The Tourism Ministry has been in constant dialogue since last Friday with REDjet to ensure that Guyana is kept abreast of the developments taking place within the company.Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali said on Monday his ministry will ensure that all Guyanese passengers are taken care of and not left stranded. The Barbados-based airline announced late Friday, March 16, it was suspending all flights from Saturday until further notice. After 10 months in the air, the move is a bid to protect its long-term interests, the company said.Minister Ali said, “The situation is expected to unfold itself later this week where REDjet is in its process of reorganising. They told us that we will have the official report from the CEO on what their position is and where REDjet’s future lies.”The report is expected by the end of this week. He emphasised that the company has been in constant contact and dialogue with the government of Guyana.REDjet’s Director Robbie Burns, in information released to the regional media, stated that the airline has outlined a three-week process for travellers to get refunds and urged them to check the company’s website and call centre for updates.He added that passengers booked on any REDjet flight from March 17 should contact the call centre or check the website for information about their flight 24 hours prior to departure.No specific reasons for the shutdown were given by the privately-owned airline, but suggestions were made of expectant state assistance to continue operations and “subsidised” competitors were blamed for its troubles.Incorporated in Barbados, REDjet took to the air with a regularly scheduled service between Barbados and Guyana in May 2011, and a service to St Lucia was introduced in February 2012, with flights to St Maarten scheduled to begin in May. The airline also had scheduled flights to and from Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.