CJIA threatens to ban CAL flights over breach of duty free pact

– airlines given 21 days to restore agreement

Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has been given an ultimatum of 21 days to restore an agreement it had entered with the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) regarding passengers who purchase at the Duty Free Shop in Guyana or have its flights to the airport discontinued.

This decision was made by management of CJIA on Thursday after the Trinidad-based airline failed to honour an agreement made at a previous meeting, which stated that airline passengers would be allowed to travel to their final destinations with their purchases from the Timehri Airport’s Duty Free Shop.

However, passengers began complaining that the airline prohibited them from travelling with their duty free items. Due to this, the management of CJIA was forced to put an ultimatum before CAL.

In a letter to Caribbean Airlines, CJIA said: “Accordingly, take notice unless CAL remedies its aforesaid default and comply with the said notice of June 15, 2015 within 21 Days of this notice to remedy default, CJIAC will be at liberty to proceed to cancel the air carrier agreement under article 9.3 thereof.”

The letter highlighted that passengers, under CAL and CJIA security supervision, would be allowed to have their duty free items secured in their checked luggage. It was noted that before an agreement was made, numerous discussions were made involving local law enforcements, duty-free concessionaries and Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA) Caribbean Airline personnel and representatives.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson explained that the conflict stemmed from passengers being unable to exercise their duty-free concessions.

“The issue stems from duty free concessions. There has been a long-standing issue with Guyanese whereas when we travel to Trinidad, we deplane and go through the security checks in Trinidad. What is being implemented now is that when you go through, you’re asked to take out your baggage, and when you take out your baggage it will include the duty free concessionaries from Guyana. Currently, the regulations are that you cannot carry anything over ten fluid ounces,” he related.

He explained that it became an issue of national interest after travellers complained that when they pass through security in Port of Spain, they are unable to carry their purchases from Guyana; particularly alcoholic beverages even though it is in compliance with the regulations. As such, these passengers lose their products at security after it is rejected during screening.

He went on to point out that even though similar issues arise at other airports, those airports usually make accommodations for these passengers.

Minister Patterson added that on several occasions, the CJIA approached the airline company with several suggestions in attempt to resolve the conflict; however, these suggestions were ignored and the issue was left unresolved.

“What is being suggested is that Guyana, CJIA and Caribbean Airlines reach some form of accommodation that if you bought products in Guyana legally, verifiably and it comes in a sealed package, the airport would collect it from you and turn it as you deplane at your final destination,” he explained..

This proposal, the minister revealed, was put to Caribbean Airlines and they attempted to implement it and in the end they refused to proceed.

“We do believe that Guyanese travellers have rights as well and we believe that what applies in any other airport and any other airline should apply to us. We do believe that we can have a resolution; unfortunately none has been reached so far,” the minister stated.

Minister Patterson pointed out that the decision to present CAL with an ultimatum was made after months of deliberations by CJIA’s Board, as none of the proposals made by the airport were finding favour with CAL.

He further expressed hopes that CAL will seek to resolve the issue within the stipulated timeframe so as to avoid further conflicts.

In 2013, Guyana granted the Trinidad-based airline “flag carrier status”.