| Date: Thu 24-Nov-1994 Paper Page: 3 Publication: Daily Nation Author: Terry Ally CARIBBEAN Airways is not taking to the skies again, as indicated in another section of the Press yesterday. This was stated by the Ministry of International Transport, in reaction to a front-page story. The Ministry explained that since the airline grounded its aircraft in March 1987, it continued to operate charter flights using other airlines' equipment. As the national carrier, Caribbean Airways owns certain routes and other airlines wishing to operate on those routes must seek permission from the company to use its routes. It is understood that arrangements could include payment of royalties and the right for the second carrier to use Caribbean Airways' name and flight numbers. The Ministry explained that in the case of Birgenair of Turkey, which was the subject of the front page article, an arrangement between it and Caribbean Airways was in place since the winter tourist season of 1993. Last November Caribbean Airways started twice weekly charter services to Germany using B-757 aircraft leased from Birgenair. The charter service continued until April 30, 1994. The Ministry said that in light of certain developments involving BWIA which signaled a likely reduction in flights out of Germany and Switzerland, Tourism Minister Dr. Richard Cheltenham convened talks with Birgenair, Caribbean Airways, the International Transport Ministry and the Barbados Tourism Authority with a view to expanding services to other points in Switzerland and Germany. |