REDjet is not the alternative to travel within the region and there should be no partnership at all between the low-cost carrier and cash-strapped airline LIAT, says frequent flyer and businessman Robert Pitcher.
Pitcher, creative marketing consultant and director of Fun and Sun Publishing Inc., told BARBADOS BUSINESS AUTHORITY that he preferred shareholders to come up with practical ways of ensuring LIAT’s survival rather than forming a partnership with the Barbadian-based airline.
Last November REDjet’s boss Ian Burns told the DAILY NATION he was extending an invitation to partner with LIAT.
At a Press conference last Monday, LIAT chairman Dr Jean Holder, responding to a question about LIAT’s interest in working with REDjet, said while he had not held any discussions with REDjet about a collaboration, it was “not an impossible situation”.
However, Pitcher, a regular commentator on aviation matters, said he believes that he spoke on behalf of many Barbadians that he wanted to see LIAT stay afloat and therefore they should not even consider such a move.
“REDjet is not the alternative to flying within the region,” he said.
“Some months ago they suggested . . . LIAT join them, REDjet, to be the carrier of the Caribbean. We know only too well that a single carrier that is privately owned will operate with a cheap fare for a short period – and then, having no competition, the fares will go up. We don’t want to go that route. No partnership at all,” argued a passionate Pitcher.
He suggested instead that the heads of major shareholder governments – Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, Dr Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Baldwin Spencer of Antigua seek more support from other governments whose countries the airline serviced.
“We want the heads of government to keep LIAT but to make it an affordable airline for its people. . . . [At] the next [CARICOM] Heads of Government conference, the prime minister who is [responsible for regional air transport] should get a shareholding based on the traffic coming out of these islands,” suggested Pitcher.
He further accused REDjet of false advertising, noting that the prices they put in the Press were not reflected on their website.
“REDjet has got to stop putting out false advertising,” he said.
“Government has got to put down their foot on that. There is nothing wrong in advertising a main fare as $9.99 and telling you that the extras cost you so and so. But what REDjet is doing is advertising a $9.99 fare and when you go to the website, you hardly ever find a $9.99 fare,” cried Pitcher.
Shareholder governments met last Monday with LIAT’s board and management, as well as unions representing employees.
