BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Caribbean’s low-fares carrier REDjet has suspended all flights to countries within the region that it serviced with effect from midnight Friday (Mar. 16) until further notice.
In a statement from its Barbados base which has shattered the hopes of many nationals in the Caribbean, Chief Executive Officer Ian Burns said the airline has no alternative but to suspend all flights and passengers who had booked on REDjet flights from Saturday (Mar. 17) should contact the Call Centre 24 hours before scheduled departure time for an update on their flight status.
Below is the unedited statement made by Burns:
“The shareholders and staff of REDjet wish to sincerely thank all our passengers and supporters for enabling our airline to achieve the tremendous feat of breaking the high fare experience of many Caribbean passengers, while increasing regional travel numbers for the first time in decades.
“We at REDjet set out to deliver the Caribbean’s first affordable air service and we have successfully launched a small number of routes that have in their performance, demonstrated the necessity and popularity for a low fares service in the region.
“Our aircraft and our dedicated staff are performing extremely well and we are willing and able to continue to provide affordable transport across the Caribbean and beyond but we cannot.
“Unlike the heavily subsidised airlines that serve the region, REDjet does not receive any assistance. As indicated, REDjet is hopeful that we will be given a small part of the State assistance others receive, as it will allow us to get our recently approved and exciting new routes established and profitable. Once this happens, our shareholders and staff will do their utmost to see that there is no return to high fares and business as usual.
“We have seen other carriers drastically cut their fares in an effort to shut down REDjet and return to high fares and business as usual with no regard to the negative impact on travellers. Unlike us, they do not have to be profitable to stay in business.
“In spite of their subsidised efforts, our passenger numbers have continued to rise because you, our patrons, enjoy our clean, comfortable and well maintained aircraft as well as our excellent service delivered at affordable ticket prices.
“REDjet has no alternative but to suspend flights from 23:59pm on 16th March until further notice. All passengers booked on any REDjet flight from Saturday should contact the call centre 24 hours before scheduled departure time for an update on their flight status.
“Affected passengers will be offered refunds or the option to travel with REDjet upon commencement of services.
“Our Refund Procedure can take up to 3 weeks and is outlined below:
Refund Procedure:
Complete a refund request posted on our website and email to service@flyredjet.com. Alternatively submit your refund request with passenger names and booking reference numbers to: REDjet, P.O. Box 6072AP, Barbados.
“Further announcements regarding services will be made on Monday 19th March. All tickets for future travel remain valid.
REDjet sincerely apologises for the disruption and distress this temporary cessation of flights will cause and looks forward to serving you in the future.”
Meanwhile, LIAT has indicated that it would offer its services to the “distressed REDjet passengers”.
In a release dated March 17, 2012, LIAT said, “LIAT the Caribbean Airline notes the suspension of REDjet flights from 23:59 p.m. on 16th March until further notice.
“LIAT wishes to advise the travelling public that it has made special arrangements to assist all affected passengers in its commitment to the carriage of persons throughout the Caribbean.
“All persons affected may contact the LIAT Call Centre to make bookings on LIAT by quoting their REDjet booking reference/confirmation number in order to be entitled to purchase a new ticket at a special fare in these unfortunate circumstances.
“LIAT is committed to carrying all persons, including those affected by this unfortunate announcement, to Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, St. Lucia and Trinidad. For further information please contact the LIAT Call Center at (268) 480-5601/(268) 480-5602.”
Also, the release stated that LIAT would continue to monitor the situation and would provide further information as it [situation] develops.
The Caribbean Airline is advising passengers to monitor its web site (www.liat.com) and other media for information on the situation.
REDjet, which commenced operation on May 10, 2011 and had begun marketing tickets on April 13 of that year, had serviced Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad, and plans were afoot to service other countries in the region including St. Kitts and Nevis.
