CHA´s White Paper Stresses Need to Revamp Caribbean Aviation Industry

The Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) has recently released a five-page white paper that proposes operational integration as the way forward for a viable solution to the regional air services problem. The document has been distributed to CARICOM Heads of State, Ministers and Directors of Tourism, Ministers and Directors of Aviation, and the CARICOM Secretariat.

The proposed solution calls for the airlines to retain their individual operating units and strong brand identities under common ownership in an “Airlines of the Caribbean Group” operating an integrated schedule.

“As in any business, control over market access is fundamental to success-more so for tourism, the only sector that can realistically generate hard currency for the region´s economies and meaningful employment for its people,” said Alec Sanguinetti, director general and CEO of CHA.

“Operational integration would empower the Caribbean to achieve more self-reliance in air transportation, which will in turn provide Caribbean tourism with a solid foundation on which to build its future. Such integration would result in profitability, lower fares, and expanded service,” the document states.

The white paper concludes that while full integration is ideal to maximize the benefits, the proposed structure should be flexible enough to allow partial integration initially with space for others to join at a later date.

The white paper follows on the footsteps of successful advocacy initiatives led by the Caribbean Hotel Association over the past year to support the decision-making process as it relates to the development of the Caribbean tourism industry.