Air J deal will unite Caribbean people, says Carib Airlines head

HORACE HINES Observer staff reporter

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

NEGRIL, Westmoreland — Arguing that the West Indies Cricket and regional politicians have so far failed to unite the region, Ian Brunton, chief executive officer of Caribbean Airlines is bubbling with confidence that the partnership forged between Caribbean Airline and Air Jamaica will "unite the Caribbean people" and hailed the move as a great accomplishment.

" It marked a beginning of a new day in Caribbean aviation that many had struggled for decades. The union of these two airlines is a win-win product," Brunton noted.

Meanwhile, the Caribbean Airlines boss was equally optimistic that the newly formed Trinidad and Tobago government, headed by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar — whose coalition defeated the Patrick Mannings led Peoples National Movement (PNM) — should not affect the arrangement between the Jamaican and Trinidad governments in which the Caribbean Airlines acquired the cash-strapped Air Jamaica.

" Nothing is going to change. What has happened in Trinidad... there has been a change in government. But it is a responsible, modern Government. What went on between the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the Government of Jamaica is an international treaty. It is something that is good for both sides," Brunton argued.

Brunton articulated his understanding for media speculation over the coalition government of the twin island republic's intent to probe the deal inked between the former Patrick Mannings administration and Kingston.

" The talks in the paper..... what you read in the press is really something you should expect. If a new Government takes over and large commitments have been made to the treasury and so on they would want to look at it to make sure it was done right," Brunton noted.

He further noted: "There was also an election promise it was all in the hustlings for the last couple of months while they were campaigning on the elections that they would investigate this and we welcome it that".

Brunton was speaking Saturday night at the Negril Chamber of commerce annual grand gala dinner at Breezes Grand Hotel and Spa, Negril.

Brunton also argued that the alliance between the two Caribbean airlines, "allows us to defend against aggression by mega-carriers and other alliance airlines"

"The common problem suffered by airlines of the Caribbean is lack of critical mass. Airlines need huge sums of cash to exist and our islands simply cannot afford their own carrier. The only answer for them is consolidation. This is what we are doing together," Brunton stated.