The Guyana government today criticised the Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines (CAL) over what it termed its failure to get stranded nationals home from the United States during the Christmas Season.
“The Ministry of Tourism is extremely disappointed with the poor treatment of Guyanese, particularly during this season,” the ministry said in a statement.
The Bharrat Jagdeo government also criticised CAL for taking Guyanese from Canada and leaving them in Trinidad “to fend for themselves”.
But the airline has defended itself, saying that while other carriers had altogether cancelled flights, Caribbean Airlines has been flying on a limited scale and even provided accommodation for Guyanese who were stranded in Trinidad.
In the strongly worded statement, the Ministry of Tourism and Commerce called the delays “inexcusable” adding that nationals were being “subjected to inhumane treatment.
“Whilst the Ministry recognizes the bad weather at JFK Airport ( in New York) , we find it inexcusable for Guyanese to be held up in Trinidad while other destinations in the Caribbean are being serviced,” the statement said.
Passengers from Canada were taken to Trinidad to connect to New York-to-Georgetown flights but they were all cancelled because of the heavy snow-fall in North America.
In the past, Guyana has repeatedly accused Caribbean Airlines of charging Guyanese significantly higher fares.
CAL acknowledged that hundreds of passengers had been affected by the closure of the JFK International Airport and in a statement said it is leasing a larger aircraft to facilitate as many passengers as possible.
“Caribbean Airlines is trying to ensure that customers who have been inconvenienced over the last two days are rebooked onto subsequent flights. To assist in the recovery process, Caribbean Airlines will consolidate its operation on wet lease wide-body aircraft,” a statement from the airline said.
Flights to and from New York continue to experience delays and cancellations as the authorities at JFK are restricting operations into and out of that airport until they are able to operate at full capacity.
More than 1 200 passengers were unable to travel after CAL had to cancel eight flights due to the snowstorm. (CMC)
