REDjet to CARICOM: Time for New Approach to Regional Air Travel

By: - May 29th, 2011

REDjet CEO Ian Burns wrote a letter to CARICOM Secretary General Lolita Applewhaite urging a new approach to Caribbean air travel. According to the letter, which appeared in the Jamaica Observer, Burns cited a 2006 World Bank report on air travel that called for new competition and private investment in the industry. Burns said it was “apparent that any solution to providing effective travel throughout CARICOM must be affordable for a person of ‘average’ socioeconomic standing.” He said air travel was “no different than any other industry.” He finished the letter by requesting consideration by a motion to support open competition in Caribbean travel. [Starbroek News]

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