CAL, THA Agree to Form Joint Committee

The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and Caribbean Airlines (CAL) have agreed to a joint committee to monitor the implementation of recently announced changes to the domestic air bridge and review in the future. 

THA Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles had previously expressed dissatisfaction with the THA not being consulted on the implementation of a $50 TTD change fee for flights between Trinidad and Tobago.

THA officials and representatives from CAL met on Thursday at the Division of Tourism, Culture and Transportation, to discuss the recent announcement the introduction of the change fee of TT$50 and other issues pertaining to the air bridge.

The meeting included, Kelvin Charles, Chief Secretary; Councillor Nadine Stewart-Phillips, Secretary of Tourism, Culture and Transportation; Raye Sandy, Chief Administrator – THA; Ingrid Ryan-Reuben, Administrator of Tourism, Culture and Transportation; Louis Lewis, CEO – Tobago Tourism Agency Ltd; Alvin Pascall, Senior State Counsel – THA and other THA officials; Shameer Ronnie Mohammed, Chairman – CAL; Garvin Medera, CEO – CAL; Nirmala Ramai, Project Manager – CAL; Dionne Ligoure, Head Corporate Communications – CAL and Neil Gajadhar, Executive Manager Airports - CAL.

Following the discussions, Caribbean Airlines gave the following assurances with respect to the TT$ 50.00 (one-way) Change Fee policy:

- Passengers seeking same day or emergency travel with Caribbean Airlines between Trinidad and Tobago and who are not in possession of a ticket or reservation can go to the airport and place his/ her name on the standby list for that day. Once a seat can be assured by Caribbean Airlines for the passenger, payment will be taken by the airline from the passenger to purchase a ticket without charge.

- Caribbean Airlines has maintained that the sale of open tickets ceased as of November 29, 2017 and the new changes will be implemented effective December 12, 2017.

- The airline confirmed that new operational procedures will be in place to treat with the changes including the extension of the opening hours of their Airport Ticket Offices to accommodate first and last flights and separate check-in counters for standby passengers.

- Additionally, if Caribbean Airlines is responsible for a passenger’s change of travel due to delay or cancellation of a flight, the passenger will be allowed to make a new reservation and no change fee will be charged.

Chief Secretary Charles also indicated to Caribbean Airlines that passengers who exercise the courtesy of giving prior notice of a change to their travel date should be rewarded. The airline has committed to giving the suggestion reasonable consideration.

A release from CAL says a document with all updates and amendments will be shared with the public by December 12, 2017.

Source: Loop (Trinidad & Tobago)