REDjet, the Barbados-based airline that is set to create a change for passengers travelling regionally, began test flights here in Guyana on March 1, to receive its licence to operate.
There are five scheduled days with at least two flights per day, but these are not open to the public just yet, says Alicia Lynch, sales and promotions manager of the airline. Lynch says that the flights are not open to the general public because the company is now going through its application process. “On board will have regulators from the relevant authorities going through the relevant checks with pilot, cabin crew, maintenance, etc,” Lynch said in an interview.
She added that REDjet is hoping that after completion of the series of test flights, it will be in receipt of its Air Operator’s Certificate, and will be able to offer Guyanese low- cost flights to destinations across the Caribbean. The test flights are scheduled for March 1, 2, 4, 15, and
18. The flights will be facilitated through the New Timehri Handling Services on behalf of REDjet.
Guyanese who have complained of the prices of flights offered by Trinidad -based Caribbean Airlines are anxiously awaiting the launch of the airline locally. At least one Guyanese residing overseas, Sharon Harvey, has stated that she would use the airline to visit home often. “I am looking forward to taking my granddaughter to Guyana.”
REDjet is poised to offer intraregional fares starting at US$9.99 before tax. The airline, which will be operated by the Barbados-based Airone Ventures Limited, says it will have nonstop flights and all economy seating on two 149-seat planes. Customers will only pay for the services they want, such as seat selection through priority boarding, and food and beverage.
“We are creating consistent, reliable air transport that is important to the Caribbean, where tourism is the largest source of income,” said Chief Executive Officer Ian Burns during the launch of the airline at the Grantley Adams Airport in Barbados.
He said REDjet is hoping to establish bases throughout the Caribbean and Latin America in the coming years. He noted that with intraregional travel experiencing a decline in recent times, the arrival of a low-cost airline was opportune, and he looked forward to seeing growth within the Caribbean market again.
Initially, the airline sought to start operations from the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica, but shifted its hub to Barbados after being denied permission to set up in Jamaica by that country’s government. The denial was mainly due to issues regarding the island’s national carrier at the time, Air Jamaica.
Meantime, the airline has already received its licence to operate in Barbados and it has plans to operate from the Piarco Airport in Trinidad as well.
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