REDjet to be cleared for take off from T&T this week
Tuesday May 10 2011 | 06:10 AM

Trinidad and Tobago Minister of Works and Transport Austin "Jack" Warner has assured the low-fare airline REDjet that it will be cleared for take-off from Piarco around May 13.

Warner together with officials of the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority met with REDjet’s CEO, Ian Burns and Business Development Officer, Robbie Burns at the Ministry of Works and Transport London Street, Port of Spain head office last Thursday to discuss the carrier’s entry into Trinidad and Tobago.

Minister Warner told reporters, "There will be people who booked tickets who will be disappointed and perhaps rightfully, but the fact is that we have certain processes to follow and therefore based on that they won't be able to start on Sunday as was planned."

Minister Warner said the Air Transport Licensing Authority is the committee responsible for issuing the commercial licence to REDjet and the Authority’s board will be appointed on Monday. He said the Board’s first task will be the granting of approval to REDjet after which the matter will be taken to Cabinet for approval. Warner said he hoped the process will be completed before May 15.

After the airline's launch last month, Warner said he was in the dark as to how REDjet got permission to operate locally. REDjet was subsequently told to cease its advertising campaign until it had obtained the necessary approvals.