REDjet scraps one service, suspends another

Regulatory delays have been blamed for both decisions.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Friday May 27, 2011 – REDjet has scrapped plans to operate flights between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, while it has postponed the service between Barbados and Jamaica for another two months.

The Barbados-based airline said “ongoing regulatory delays” in the twin-island republic and Jamaica had forced it to take those decisions.

Notices of the cancellation of planned service between Jamaica and Trinidad and the suspension of the Barbados-Jamaica flights until July 24, were delivered in emails to booked passengers yesterday, the same day that Air Jamaica and Caribbean Airlines (CAL) finalised their merger.

Even though the delayed and cancelled routes were still in the list of services available on REDjet’s website, up to this morning, passengers who get past the step of choosing destinations and travel dates are then shown a calendar showing “No Seats Available” for every date.

The company said the delays were out of its control.

For the postponed flight, passengers who’ve already paid have been told they will be issued a full refund.

“REDjet is extremely disappointed for all of our passengers and remains committed to fight to bring you the lowest fares,” said one of the emails.

REDjet has made several attempts to get the Jamaica and Trinidad services off the ground but has repeatedly delayed start-up as it awaits approval from the authorities in both countries.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in Jamaica was supposed to have met yesterday to discuss the REDjet application but there has been no word on whether a decision was made. The situation is also the same in Trinidad.

Only REDjet service between Barbados and Guyana has started without any problems. The first flight was on May 10. 

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