Ian Burns, the boss of the Barbados-based carrier REDjet, says the airline will announce by next week when it will commence flights to Jamaica.
Mr. Burns told RJR’s Financial Report Tuesday night, July 19, that now that the low fare air carrier has received official word from the Jamaican authorities that it has clearance to begin service, preparations will begin for the start up.
He disclosed that REDjet received its licence from the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority on Tuesday.
"It's been a long time coming but we persevered and I’m sure it’s going to be very beneficial for (all) consumers not just in Jamaica but throughout the Caribbean. We will need to sit down and assess when exactly we can start our service but we’ll be announcing that within the next week. We hope to launch a schedule that will go on sale within the next week or so," Mr. Burn said.
REDjet defends its prices
And REDjet has responded to questions being raised about its fares.
In Trinidad, there is concern that REDjet's US$9.99 advertised fare, is predatory, aimed at driving Caribbean Airlines/Air Jamaica out of business.
Similar sentiments have been expressed by Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, who was quoted as stopping just short of directly accusing REDjet of practising predatory pricing.
But Mr. Burns has dismissed concerns about the airline's fare structure.
"Low fares airlines models work around the world and very successfully. They are highly profitable businesses and US$9.99 sounds like a very low fare in the Caribbean but it’s not in most other parts of the world it’s the standard price. In fact, many countries have lower prices than that, so one could argue that what is a predatory. A lot of airlines in the region have flying at loses for years and years," Mr. Burns stated.
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