PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad –The Caribbean’s first low cost budget airline, REDjet, says it is still seeking the necessary documents from the Trinidad and Tobago authorities to begin commercial operations even as media reports said that the Air Transport Licensing Authority (ATLA) is yet to receive the airline’s application.
REDjet said it was confirming that “the application for journey permits was made to the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA) since December last year as there had been no ATLA board in place.
The airline said it had also submitted its application for a permit to the Director General of Civil Aviation on December 8 last year and that “this application was acknowledged by a letter …dated 20th December 2010.
“REDjet was additionally advised to resubmit its application on the 9th May, 2011 to the Director General of Civil Aviation to facilitate its delivery (to) the first board meeting of the ATLA on the 10th May, 2011 and this was done accordingly”.
The airline said that it had done so “in the appropriate manner according to the regulations and the advice given by the relevant authorities” and that earlier this month, the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that the airline “was indeed in compliance with the safety and security requirements for foreign air operator operations specifications”.
“This was communicated at the meeting to REDjet officials and subsequently to members of the media,” the airline said in a statement, adding “as such REDjet is seeking consideration with regards for the immediate issuance of permits to operate into Trinidad and Tobago in accordance with the statement by the line minister to facilitate the application before the newly appointed ATLA can issue a formal licence”.
But TTCAA’s director general Ramesh Lutchmedial is quoted in the local media today as saying that ATLA has not granted a commercial licence to REDjet.
Lutchmedial said that the application has not been submitted to ATLA because his organisation was still ensuring that REDjet met all the necessary regulatory requirements.
“We are required to ensure that the operators comply with safety and security regulations before we recommend their application to ATLA. We are still engaged with the Barbados Civil Aviation regarding some operational issues that need to be resolved,” Lutchmedial said.
“We can assure that this matter is being treated with the utmost urgency.”
REDjet was launched last month offering passengers a seat for as low as US$9.99 before taxes. (CMC)
