CAA Needs to Approve New Airlines

Despite having good intentions, the THA cannot authorize airlines to operate within Trinidad and Tobago, according to the former Director General of the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority, Ramesh Lutchmedial. Nor can they wet lease an aircraft.

One of the proposed solutions to address inter-island transportation issues between Tobago and Trinidad was the wet leasing of aircraft to increase capacity on the airbridge. Stakeholders discussed this option at a meeting in August. In 2002, planes were wet-leased from the former regional carrier LIAT to supplement the airbridge, operating under the banner of then BWIA, and not as a separate service. However, Lutchmedial clarified that the possibility of Tobago forming its own dedicated airline for the airbridge is subject to the Civil Aviation Authority under the Ministry of Works and Transport.

Presently, only Caribbean Airlines possesses the legal authority to conduct flights between Trinidad and Tobago. The Civil Aviation Act specifies that only state-owned airlines can operate flights between airports in the country. However, Lutchmedial clarified that this situation might undergo a change due to a new policy adopted by CARICOM.

If the THA wishes to utilize one of the airlines already servicing Tobago for the operation of the airbridge, such as British Airways or Condor, Lutchmedial explains that it can be easily facilitated. While it remains unclear at this point which airline the THA is negotiating with, Lutchmedial stressed that the final decision rests with the Civil Aviation Authority under the Ministry of Works and Transport, in accordance with the law.

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