Caribbean/BWIA Airlines Thread.

[weary1969]

HSIC of course..u go see how daddy goin to get kamla tuh let hnic boil down...den sonny boy go stick out he tongue and make monkeyface at hnic and hnic wud then show him middle finger...and all shall be well again...

 

[Bakes]

HSIC of course..u go see how daddy goin to get kamla tuh let hnic boil down...den sonny boy go stick out he tongue and make monkeyface at hnic and hnic wud then show him middle finger...and all shall be well again...

Nah, first de HNIC will check with Anand fuh legal advice tuh see which hand he should use tuh show de finger.

[Flex]

Falling out with Warner over Caribbean Airlines.
By Curtis Rampersad Business Editor.

BOARD BATS FOR GEORGE

A deal worth US$200 million for State carrier Caribbean Airlines to buy nine new aircraft is going ahead as planned, the European company manufacturing the planes said yesterday.

Dismissed Caribbean Airlines chief executive Capt Ian Brunton completed negotiations for the plane sale, which received Cabinet approval in September, between the local airline and the ATR company based in southern France.

But Caribbean Airlines' new board of directors led by businessman and hotelier George Nicholas was not interested in the nine ATR 72-600 aircraft as the first choice for the State airline, aviation industry sources have said.

Nicholas yesterday attended a meeting on proper codes of conduct by chairpersons of State boards, MPs and Cabinet ministers, as well as other issues relating to their execution of their duties and functions, hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann's.

This followed the firing by the Nicholas-led Caribbean Airlines board of Brunton last week after a disagreement between line Minister Jack Warner and Nicholas.

But as questions about the deal have surfaced, ATR maintained yesterday that it has already received a downpayment to build the nine turbo prop aircraft and is proceeding on course to complete delivery next year.

ATR spokesperson at the company's headquarters in Toulouse, southern France, David Vargas told the Express in a telephone interview yesterday that "nothing has changed" since the company and Caribbean Airlines announced that the local airline would become an ATR customer with the purchase of the planes in September.

Vargas said the manufacture of the aircraft would take a few months to complete and the company still aimed to deliver the fleet of nine aircraft to Trinidad and Tobago in 2011.

He stressed there had been no news of any delay in the deal from anyone in Trinidad and Tobago and there was no indication the sale of the planes might be reviewed or cancelled.

He confirmed that a downpayment had been received by ATR to build the planes which were planned for use on the Tobago airbridge service as a replacement for Caribbean Airlines' current fleet of aging Dash-8 turbo prop planes as well as to support Air Jamaica routes which were recently acquired by Caribbean Airlines.

Sources in the aviation industry have suggested that 40 per cent of the payment for the aircraft, about US$80 million, had been paid to ATR.

Vargas said a downpayment had been made as part of the deal but did not give details.

[Flex]

Lawyers of fired Caribbean Airlines CEO write board:
By Curtis Rampersad Business Editor

GIVE ME BACK MY JOB

Fired Caribbean Airlines chief executive Capt Ian Brunton wants his job as head of the State carrier back because he believes the board of directors used unlawful and improper power to terminate his services.

Brunton, 65, was dismissed by letter last Friday, having worked as CEO of the airline since October 2009.

Attorneys Seenath Jairam SC and Rishi Dass, acting on behalf of Brunton, on Sunday wrote to Caribbean Airlines and copied the letter to airline chairman, businessman and hotelier George Nicholas, Works Minister Jack Warner and the other CAL directors.

The attorneys said Brunton received his termination letter "under the hand" of Nicholas with "astonishment and disappointment", given that he had previously received no complaints about his performance. They have asked that the decision to terminate him be recanted with immediate effect because it was improper and unlawful.

The letter said Brunton oversaw a turnaround of the airline with shareholders equity increasing from US$110 million from the date of his appointment to US$164 million. It added that there were shared concerns of line minister Warner that an "apparently unilateral decision" was taken to terminate Brunton's services.

The attorneys said Brunton indicated that at the last CAL board meeting on November 15, at which he was present, no issue was raised about his performance as CEO.

Statements, thus far not refuted by the airline, suggest that Brunton has become an "unwitting casualty of a disagreement between Mr Nicholas and the line minister over the pending aircraft acquisition from ATR with Mr Nicholas having a preference for a competing supplier, Bombardier", the attorneys' letter stated.

The Express reported Warner as saying last Friday that he had a disagreement with Nicholas and that the new chairman showed him "no respect" as line minister, because he did not inform him he was firing Brunton.

The latter said consistent with concerns that his firing may have been unilateral, it was the attorneys' understanding that one of the board members was not in the country since that initial board meeting on November 15.

The letter was faxed to the Express yesterday from a number at Warner's office at the Ministry of Works in Port of Spain, Express checks showed. It also contained Brunton's curriculum vitae, which listed him as an aviation consultant, a former jet captain and the first chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority.

The letter suggested that any decision to terminate Brunton's services would require the specific approval of the entire board and any unilateral decision would be unlawful. It said any decision to terminate him "merely to retaliate against the line minister with no heed being paid to the deleterious consequences to the airline is a clear breach of the fiduciary obligation of a board member" and flagrant act of corporate misconduct.

Jairam and Dass are now calling on the airline to confirm if the directors met and voted in favour of the purported decision to terminate Brunton and noted that independent obligations of each board member to act collegiately in the best interest of the airline.

"Accordingly, we ask that this purported decision be recanted with immediate effect as being an improper and unlawful exercise of power," the attorneys said in the letter.

Jairam and Dass said the airline had until yesterday to respond after which they would advise Brunton on his legal options.

$11.5m plane downpayment in trouble
By Curtis Rampersad

State carrier Caribbean Airlines had made a downpayment of US$1.8 million (TT$11.5 million) to European plane maker ATR for the purchase of nine new turbo prop aircraft, an attorney's letter on behalf of fired CEO Ian Brunton stated.

The letter has suggested that the company could lose this money if it does not adhere to the obligations of the transaction.

The letter from Seenath Jairam to Caribbean Airlines and copied to its chairman George Nicholas and line minister Jack Warner said the acquisition process for the ATR planes was the subject of an extensive six-month evaluation process.

This generated a comprehensive comparative report relative to both ATR and another aircraft manufacturer Bombardier, which were the only feasible commercial suppliers.

The deal for the ATR 68-seat planes is worth US$200 million.

"This comparative report demonstrated conclusively that a supply from ATR most benefited (Caribbean Airlines') needs," the letter stated.

It added that the decision received the approval of Cabinet and culminated in a signed contractual Heads of Agreement with ATR in September.

"Our instruction (from Brunton) is that upon signing the said Heads of Agreement the airline paid ATR the sum of US$1.8 million which it stands to lose if it does not honour its obligations thereunder," the letter stated.

Works Minister Warner suggested last week that Nicholas was more interested in negotiating a deal for the aircraft with Bombardier.

The attorney said Brunton's instructions were that under the agreement, additional benefits would accrue to the airline, not least of which was an undertaking by ATR to assist in the establishment of a maintenance facility at Piarco.

"It seems difficult in this context to understand any rational basis for attempting to revisit Cabinet's decision in this matter," the letter added.

On Monday, ATR spokesperson David Vargas confirmed to the Express the deal was proceeding as announced and the aircraft would be ready for delivery next year.

He said he did not confirm if a downpayment was made as he was not in a position to make a statement about that as was previously reported.

[Flex]

State braces for $million legal fees in CAL matter
Debra Wanser and Anika Gumbs-Sandiford
—reporting by SHALIZA HASSANALI

Debra Wanser and Anika Gumbs-SandifordThe State is being saddled with a million-dollar bill to represent cash strapped Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) in a legal battle against dismissed chief executive officer Ian Brunton. The airline has retained Andrew Mitchell, QC, the same attorney who had been representing CAL chairman George Nicholas III in the controversial legal battle against Dr Krishna Persad for control of Mora Ven Holdings Limited. Persad was before the court on six fraud charges brought against him by Nicholas.

Mitchell has represented Nicholas at the High Court and at the Privy Council in that matter. But according to sources, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan must be consulted on the matter and has the power to sanction which attorneys should be retained to represent the State. Legal sources revealed to Sunday Guardian that Mitchell’s fees range from £100,000 ($1, 000,000 TT) per brief, excluding retainer fees. Mitchell is no stranger when it comes to dealing with controversial matters. In 2007, he represented former Chief Justice Satnarine Sharma at the Privy Council, attempting to prevent police from executing a warrant on him on a charge of perverting the course of justice.

The former administration also appointed Mitchell as a member of the CL Financial board following the $7-billion bail out. He has since been replaced by new head, Gerald Yetming. Mitchell, however, would be instructed by attorney Om Lalla. Lalla, who has represented Minister of Works and Transport Jack Warner for over ten years, is also representing Nicholas, who has defied Warner int he firing of the airline’s Chief Executive officer Ian Brunton. He is currently representing Warner in a number of matters before the court. He is also the attorney for Fifa and T&T Football Federation.

OM: I am committed to representing Warner
But in an interview with Sunday Guardian yesterday, Lalla said he remains committed to representing Warner. “Sure, I remain as one of Mr Warner’s attorneys. I have been retained by CAL. The whole issue is about a chief executive officer that was terminated and it is the company that has retained my services. I do not see any issue for a conflict of interest to arise. It is a company taking a decision; it is a corporate issue and not a personal issue,” Lalla said when contacted.

Despite Cabinet ratifying the decision to acquire nine turboprop aircraft from Avions de Transport Regional (ATR), the CAL Board is seeking to overturn the decision. It is clear, however, that Warner and Nicholas are at loggerheads as the former openly expressed displeasure over the decision to dismiss Brunton who has since initiated legal proceedings against CAL after refusal to reinstate him. Warner, who is in Zurich, is still awaiting instructions from Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on how to proceed. Contacted yesterday, Nicholas refused comment on the matter saying: “I would have my attorney contact you.” Meanwhile, Ramlogan said he had absolutely no comment to make on the matter.

About Mitchell
•2005 represented Nicholas in Mora Ven matter
• 2007 represented former Chief Justice Satnarine Sharma
•2009 member of CL Financial board


Om Lalla

[g]

either way Om eating a serious food

[Flex]

CAL board not speaking to me
By DARCEL CHOY Wednesday, December 8 2010

SAYING that the Caribbean Airlines (CAL) board has not reported to him and that he knows of the boards operations only by what he reads in the newspapers, Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner yesterday promised to make a comprehensive statement this Friday on several controversial issues surrounding that board.

Speaking at a ceremony where the newly installed board of the Airports Authority (AATT) was introduced to the media at the authority’s Administrative Centre, South Terminal, Piarco International Airport, Warner complained about the way the CAL board, led by George Nicholas III, is managing its affairs.

“They don’t answer to me. As far as I am concerned, they have no obligations to me. I read their affairs in the newspapers...I have never gotten any minutes, any phone calls...I don’t know anything,” Warner said. He promised that this state of affairs will not last.

Warner said he expects to be kept informed from time to time on the progress of any board that he has jurisdiction over as line minister. He has since demanded that every board, excluding CAL, are to submit minutes of its meetings to him.

“We shall meet all the boards once per month, except one, to have an exchange of discussions for us to be able to collectively rise,” he said. Warner commended the AATT board saying they understood that the only person elected is the Minister of Works while the board is selected to carry out the policy of the ministry. The AATT board’s chairman is Captain Vaman Bajnath.

“I don’t expect this board to come here and three days after, to turn this place upside down or to try and undo a Cabinet decision. I don’t expect the board after ten days to try to fire its top official,” Warner said. His comment was in direct reference to a controversial firing at CAL.

On November 26, the CAL board dismissed the airlines’ chief executive officer Captain Ian Brunton from his post. Brunton has since sent a legal letter challenging his dismissal. On November 30, CAL responded, saying they had a contractual right to terminate his employment Warner referred this matter to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Attorney General Anand Ramlogan.

“I haven’t gotten a response from the Prime Minister but I have gotten a response from the Attorney General which I would not disclose,” Warner said. He explained that because CAL has not reported to him, this board will be excluded from several of the ministry’s activities including a meeting he intends to have with other boards which fall under his ministry, on January 15. Warner said there seems to be a lack of understanding generally by board members, “of the functions of the line minister vis a vis the boards”.

“I intend to call all the boards under the Ministry of Works and Transport where we shall sit down and discuss matters because more than 95 percent of persons who have been appointed have never been on boards before and therefore it is wrong for them to assume they have all the knowledge and experience on how to conduct a board’s business,” Warner said.

[Jah Gol]

OUR PLANES ARE SAFE
ATR: Complaints damaging to company's image
By Curtis Rampersad Business Editor

Story Created: Dec 15, 2010 at 11:49 PM ECT

(Story Updated: Dec 15, 2010 at 11:49 PM ECT )

European manufacturer ATR says its planes are safe and the People's Partnership Government's suggestions there may be safety issues with its aircraft have no basis in fact.

The southern France-based turboprop aircraft maker said yesterday it has noted discussions in Trinidad and Tobago during the past couple weeks about the acquisition by State carrier Caribbean Airlines (CAL) of nine ATR airplanes to renew its fleet.

Approved by Cabinet and agreed to by ATR and Caribbean Airlines in September, the deal for the 68-seat ATR 72-600 aircraft is valued at US$200 million. However, the deal and the firing of former CAL CEO Capt Ian Brunton are now at the heart of an impasse between the George Nicholas-led board and Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner.

Part of the discussions on the deal have elicited concerns about the safety of ATR aircraft and the need to review this in the context of CAL's choice of aircraft. ATR, however, did not take too kindly to the insinuation of such discussion.

"First of all, ATR cannot accept that the safety of its products is called into question when there is absolutely no technical or factual basis for this to be an issue," the company said in a statement yesterday.

"Furthermore, the fact that these safety concerns are raised after the joint media announcement of the agreement between CAL and ATR and the payment of commitment fees makes it even more damaging for the image of ATR and its products."

The company said the claims were damaging to its reputation.

Brunton had negotiated the deal with ATR to boost Caribbean Airlines' fleet before he was fired by the CAL board of directors last month.

CAL paid a deposit of US$1.8 million for the planes, which were planned for use on the airbridge between Trinidad and Tobago. The airline planned to take delivery of the aircraft next year.

Warner said the board showed him "no respect" and did not inform him it had fired Brunton. He suggested Nicholas was more interested in securing planes from another foreign manufacturer, Bombardier, out of Canada.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said, following a post-Cabinet meeting in Tobago last week, "An issue has arisen with respect to safety of the aircraft, the preferred aircraft, from the former board and the present board is raising safety issues."

Government then agreed to hire an international aviation safety expert to evaluate the concerns of the CAL board. Attorney General Anand Ramlogan announced on Tuesday London, England-based aviation expert John Dunne had been hired to evaluate the safety concerns raised by the CAL directors.

ATR, in a statement from spokesman David Vargas, responded yesterday: "As a well-recognised international aircraft manufacturer, ATR has always placed safety at the forefront of its everyday work and efforts. The following factual elements of information show that its aircraft are safe and trusted worldwide:

• Over 850 ATR aircraft are being operated every day by 150 commercial airlines in 90 countries around the world, accumulating some 21 million flights per day in the world, with an aircraft landing at any 20 seconds without any restriction or concern regarding safety.

• The ATR aircraft are certified by the international civil aviation authorities in all of these countries, including the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The ATR products fully comply with the very stringent certification requirements of the CS25 and FAR 25 Rules, which are the same applied to narrow-body and wide-body aircraft made by Boeing and Airbus.

• In addition to CAL, many other major airlines and leasing companies around the world have selected ATR (two most recently were Azul in Brazil and Steven Udvar-Hazy's Air Lease in the US). ATR currently has more than half of the market share in sales and deliveries.

"Declarations inferring that ATR aircraft are unsafe not only harm ATR's image as a company but, also, the image of all of the professionals in the aeronautical industry that are connected with the operation of ATR aircraft. There is no doubt that any qualified aviation professional would rely on work performed by airworthiness authorities.

ATR said the agreement with CAL resulted from an exhaustive and thorough technical and economic analysis by airline management and a "detailed comparison with the competition".

"This long selection process led to the designation of our product and commercial offer as the best solution for the airline," the company said, adding: "Given all these elements, and in light of the fact that safety of ATR aircraft is not a credible issue, ATR has serious concerns as to the real reasons why this decision and the signed agreement between Caribbean Airlines and ATR are being called into question. To date, ATR has not been contacted directly by the airline or the Government to be informed directly of the situation."

Accidents involving ATR and Bombardier aircraft

ATR


• October 31,1994—American Eagle (Simmons Airlines) ATR 72; Flight 4184; near Roselawn, Indiana, USA: This was a scheduled domestic flight from Indianapolis and Chicago. During descent, the crew activated the airframe de-icing system. The crew was in a holding pattern at about 10,000 feet (3050m) and while the aircraft was descending to 8,000 feet, the aircraft went out of control due to the effects of icing, and crashed. The four crew members and 64 passengers were all killed. The icing occurred in areas of the wings that were beyond the area protected by the de-icing system.


• November 11, 1999—Air Botswana ATR 42; Gaborone, Botswana: An Air Botswana pilot, who had been grounded for medical reasons, took off alone in an Air Botswana ATR42 airliner and crashed it into two of the airline's other ATR42s on the ground. Fortunately, there was no one else in the other two aircraft. The pilot was the only person killed in this event.


• August 2005—Tuninter ATR 72; near Palermo, Italy: The aircraft was on an unscheduled international flight from Bari, Italy, to Djerba, Tunisia, when the aircraft reportedly developed engine trouble. The crew ditched the aircraft off the coast of Palermo. The aircraft had been on a scheduled domestic flight from Kish Island in the Persian Gulf. Two of the four crew members and 14 of the 35 passengers were killed.


• November 4, 2010—AeroCaribbean; CU-T1549; ATR 72-212; Flight 883; near Guasimal, Sancti Spiritus Province, Cuba: The aircraft was on a domestic flight from Santiago to Havana, Cuba. The crew reported an emergency situation shortly before the aircraft crashed in mountainous terrain. All seven crew members and 61 passengers were killed.


Bombardier


• December 16 1997—Air Canada CRJ-100ER; Fredericton, Canada: The aircraft was on a scheduled domestic flight from Toronto to Fredericton. The aircraft was destroyed, but none of the three crew or 39 passengers were killed.


• November 21, 2004—China Yunnan Airlines (China Eastern) CRJ-200; Baotou, China: The aircraft crashed shortly after taking off on a scheduled domestic flight from Baotou to Shanghai. The six crew members and 47 passengers were all killed in the crash.

• August 27, 2006—Delta Connection (Comair) CRJ-100; Lexington, Kentucky, USA: The aircraft was on a scheduled domestic flight from Lexington to Atlanta. The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff, about a half mile from the end of the departure runway. Two of the three crew members and all 47 passengers were killed.


• November 12, 2009—RwandAir CRJ-100ER; Flight 205; Kigali, Rwanda: A RwandAir CRJ-100ER was on a scheduled flight from Kigali, Rwanda to Kampala, Uganda, and ran into a terminal at the Kigali airport. The nose gear collapsed and the forward portion of the aircraft penetrated the building up to about the position of the forward passenger doors. One of the three crew members and one of the ten passengers were killed.


• Source: www.airsafe.com

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/OUR_PLANES_ARE_SAFE-111973344.html

[Jah Gol]

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said, following a post-Cabinet meeting in Tobago last week, "An issue has arisen with respect to safety of the aircraft, the preferred aircraft, from the former board and the present board is raising safety issues."  

This is the equivalent of taking a sick leave because of a "medical condition."

[weary1969]

Where d bestest article D AG telling Jack and d board 2 hush? This after both ah dem have had parrot bottom 4 wks.

[Flex]

CAL seeks to spread its wings in 2011
By Clint Chan Tack Saturday, January 1 2011

GOVERNMENT will renegotiate a fuel hedging arrangement that is helping to keep Caribbean Airlines (CAL) in the air, and help it with its expansion plans.

This was disclosed yesterday by Works and Transport Minister, Jack Warner. The agreement was entered into in 2007 under the then PNM government, and is due to expire early next year.

Warner told Newsday that CAL chairman, George Nicholas III, had made a request to him to extend the fuel hedge for one year. Warner said he sent a note to Finance Minister Winston Dookeran on Tuesday. Warner added that he expects a “favourable” reply from Dookeran early next week. Government is estimated to have paid an annual fuel hedge of US$10 million over the last three years.

At an earlier news conference at the Works Ministry’s head office in Port-of-Spain with Warner, Nicholas said a fuel hedge was normal in the aviation industry and CAL’s records show that this hedge was offered by Citibank to the previous board, chaired by businessman Arthur Lok Jack.

Nicholas was confident that Government would keep the fuel hedge in place.

Nicholas then disclosed that CAL will lease six Boeing 737-800 jets at a cost of $300,000 for its joint venture arrangement with Air Jamaica. He said the Air Jamaica service will be relaunched January 14, in Jamaica.

Stating that CAL continues to pursue its “one Caribbean airline” approach, Nicholas did not rule out the possibility of CAL partnering with other regional carriers in a way similar to the Air Jamaica arrangement.

Nicholas also revealed that CAL was looking at resuming flights to Heathrow International Airport in the United Kingdom. Local flights to Heathrow were scrapped shortly after the demise of its predecessor airline BWIA.

“We will be going to Heathrow this year. We have already started those negotiations on leasing slots into Heathrow,” Nicholas assured.

Nicholas also said the recent snowstorms in the US did not adversely affect CAL flights to its destinations there. He noted that CAL offered vouchers of US$250 to its passengers who were stranded in Baltimore during those storms.

Warner expressed confidence in the state of CAL’s finances and the airline’s continued financial health under Nicholas’ stewardship. The minister said once CAL continues to exercise fiscal prudence, “I don’t think we shall see the days of BWIA (again).”

[jahkingdom]

is this true trinies?

Under the deal, the Jamaican Government owns a 16 per cent stake in the airline.

CAL's plans were to take over the profitable routes of Air Jamaica, but that seemed not to have gone as planned, as the airline has reported losses in the last six months.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20101224/lead/lead91.html

[Bitter]

CAL fined US$40,000
'...Unfair and deceptive advertising'

By Abby Brathwaite
Story Created: Jan 14, 2011 at 12:36 AM ECT
Story Updated: Jan 14, 2011 at 12:36 AM ECT
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/business/CAL_fined_US_40_000-113544544.html

State carrier Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has been fined US$40,000 for what the United States Department of Transportation described as unfair and deceptive advertising.

But an order served by the department in Washington, DC to CAL on December 2 instructed the airline to pay only US$20,000 within 30 days of the issue of the order and a further US$20,000 if it made a similar violation within 12 months.

The report sent to the Express indicated that foreign air carriers, including CAL, are subject to the advertising requirements of the department's rules.

The false advertising is said to have occurred on the airline's website.

"Between March 2010 and July 2010, CAL posted Internet fare advertisements on its website that quoted prices for numerous air fares that did not include applicable fuel surcharges. By failing to include fuel surcharges in its base fare, CAL violated 14 CFR 399.84 and engaged in an unfair and deceptive practice and unfair method of competition in violation 49 USC," the report said.

"Moreover, the September 11 Security Fee was one of the additional taxes and fees that was not included in the advertised price and was not disclosed as required which constitutes a separate and distinct violation of 41712."

The report said CAL blamed a third party vendor for the advertising violation.

"In mitigation, CAL states that the failure of its Internet booking engine to display properly all fare components in accordance with department policy was unintentional, as CAL had relied on a new, third-party booking vendor's assurances that the booking engine would so comply," the report said.

"When the Enforcement Office advised CAL of its concerns, CAL stated that it immediately directed its vendor to remove the functions at issue and worked with that vendor to modify them."

CAL officials have not officially returned phone calls seeking comment on the issue.

[E-man]

Jack Warner (left) gives a listening ear to Dennis Lalor.

A renewed Air Jamaica!

It was a much-anticipated event. The Honourable Jack Warner, minister of works and transport, Trinidad and Tobago, hosted 'A Special Evening With Air Jamaica' in the form of a reception and dinner at New Kingston's Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Friday, January 14. Our camera caught all the action.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110123/out/out6.html

[just cool]

Any one flew caribbean air in the past few months? i'm asking BC i would like to know if they upgraded their fleet of 737 800 with tv monitors in the head rest of every seat, or do they still have those drop down screens.

if not then they need to get wid it! almost every up and coming airlines have these available, it's very convenient and necessary if they wish to compete with the bigger airlines.

[g]

Any one flew caribbean air in the past few months? i'm asking BC i would like to know if they upgraded their fleet of 737 800 with tv monitors in the head rest of every seat, or do they still have those drop down screens.

if not then they need to get wid it! almost every up and coming airlines have these available, it's very convenient and necessary if they wish to compete with the bigger airlines.

I flew with them a couple weeks ago, same drop down screens but they have a safety video instead of the flight attendants doing the demonstrations now. Don't get meals like in the past, just a sandwich but they are still ahead of other airlines that only serve drinks in economy class.

I think that only wide body long haul jets (Boeing 777, Airbus A340) carry those personal monitors in the headrests (subject to correction). So the smaller medium range narrow body 737s that CAL uses wouldnt normally have that equipment.

[Bitter]

In-flight entertainment options are determined by the airlines. This is why JetBlue can have seat-back IFE. But that's a major selling-point for them. I'm sure if CAL could realize greater revenue from installing seat-back they would.

Incidentally, all of CALs airplanes are leased either from ILFC or Transavia airlines.

[just cool]

Any one flew caribbean air in the past few months? i'm asking BC i would like to know if they upgraded their fleet of 737 800 with tv monitors in the head rest of every seat, or do they still have those drop down screens.

if not then they need to get wid it! almost every up and coming airlines have these available, it's very convenient and necessary if they wish to compete with the bigger airlines.

I flew with them a couple weeks ago, same drop down screens but they have a safety video instead of the flight attendants doing the demonstrations now. Don't get meals like in the past, just a sandwich but they are still ahead of other airlines that only serve drinks in economy class.

I think that only wide body long haul jets (Boeing 777, Airbus A340) carry those personal monitors in the headrests (subject to correction). So the smaller medium range narrow body 737s that CAL uses wouldnt normally have that equipment.

There are 737 that also has them, but i'm beginning to believe that it's only the 737 900 ER. here's an example.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T139WRrOMl8

[Babalawo]

I just want 24 hr ATR 72-600s plane flight to and from Tobago please

[Flex]

No CAL/JA signatures on the dotted line yet
By Vernon Khelawan Thursday, April 14 2011

Amid heavy and consistent reports that Caribbean Airlines (CAL) is having second thoughts about the Air Jamaica deal, no firm denial has come from Iere House at Piarco to put these reports to rest, except to state in a media release three days ago that “Caribbean Airlines is committed to implementing its integration plan so that the airline can concentrate on making its operations a success.”

But information received by Business Day has revealed several important legal documents, crucial to closure of the deal, remain outstanding. Business Day understands the amended By Laws, although completed, remains outstanding because it is required to conform with the amended Shareholder agreement which has not yet been finalised.

The amended Shareholder agreement, it is understood, was ready for signing last December but it did not include that the government of Jamaica would assign CAL national carrier status. CAL was insistent it must.

According to well-placed sources, the Jamaica government sent back the document to CAL in January 2011, still without the national carrier clause. It is also understood the amended articles of Incorporation remain in abeyance as does the Shareholder certificate confirming the transfer of 16 percent of CAL shares to the government of Jamaica, according to the original agreement.

In a release earlier this week, CAL maintained that” since the signing of the initial agreement a year ago, its team continues to work towards the consolidation of Air Jamaica and Caribbean Airlines in time for the April 30 2011 deadline of the Shareholder agreement.”

Reacting to a newspaper report on Jamaica last weekend which stated that some 300 employees were set to lose their jobs, the release stated: “As with most acquisitions, there are difficult decisions that will have to be taken during any integration process. Whilst there may be redundancies in some departments, other departments have in fact increased their head count.”

It cited where since last December a number of new pilots were hired and there still existed the need for more. The release also stated Air Jamaica had begun filling 75 vacancies to complete the cabin crew requirements.

“Currently employees in Jamaica are being informed about the future plans for the airline,” added the Piarco release.

“All job titles and salaries have been standardised across the company thereby levelling the playing field for all employees ensuring there was no discrimination between the two companies. All relevant HR procedures have been followed to assist in the integration process.”

Air Jamaica chairman Dennis Lalor said in Kingston earlier this week he had not been advised of any impending staff cuts at Air Jamaica, following a weekend report in Kingston that some 300 jobs were in jeopardy come April 30 when the deal has to be signed.

[Tallman]

Caribbean Airlines passengers stuck on tarmac for 6 hours at Newark Airport
newyork.cbslocal.com

There was anger and frustration at Newark Liberty International Airport Thursday after a group of passengers were left stuck on the tarmac for six hours.

Three hundred travelers on two Caribbean Airlines flights from Trinidad were diverted by the bad weather to Newark instead of their original destination — John F. Kennedy Airport.

Passengers waited in the planes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and said they really didn’t know why.

“I felt like I was claustrophobic,” 11-year-old Jasmine told CBS 2′s Derricke Dennis.

“They didn’t have any food per se on the plane,” said Nikita Job of Somerset, N.J.

While passengers said they understood severe weather played a role in the delay, they were dumbfounded why it took so long just to get off their planes.

“It’s disgusting. It’s really terrible. I mean we’re human, nobody should have to go through this,” said Raj Wahid of Queens.

Pilot Paul Beston said Newark Airport does not service Caribbean Airlines — no computers, no staff, no customs paperwork and no gate. Despite new federal rules that feature a passenger Bill of Rights, the measure does not yet apply to international flights.

Calls by CBS 2 to both Caribbean Airlines and the Port Authority were not returned Thursday night.
So following their long wait, passengers were eventually taken home by bus.

“I hope it never happens again,” said Theresa Abraham of Long Island.

[elan]

These people obviously never travel AA

[weary1969]

These people obviously never travel AA

 

[Brownsugar]

These people obviously never travel AA

ooooohhhh gggguuuuddddd Elan, I swear you take de words right off mih keyboard.....dais exactly what ah was coming to post.....AA is my airline of choice.....if ah have no other choice!!!!

[Jah Gol]

My flight out of JFK on Thursday was delayed for more than 5 hours. Most of the airlines had delays too. I couldn't be bothered . I open my laptop and play Football Manager 2011 right through. You really cyar beat up too much over the weather.

I was in the bathroom when Air Jamaica announced that their flight was cancelled altogether. I could still hear the 200 or so Jamaicans collectively moan and shout bomboclat.

[Bitter]

Now obviously they get stuck in limbo within a stones-throw from their final destination, fueling more frustration.
But you have to wonder what is the protocol in this situation. You get a plane-load of passengers from a diverted flight, you mean there is no area to take them off the plane to wait?

[Flex]

Nicholas’ family ties
Sun, 2011-May-15
By: Asha Javeed
 
George Nicholas, chiarman of Caribbean Airlines Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has awarded a $27 million dollar contract to CIC Insurance Brokers, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CIC Holdings, in which Issa Nicholas Holdings Limited is the fifth largest shareholder. CAL chairman George Nicholas is a director of Issa Nicholas Holdings Ltd. The three-year contract, to provide Employee Benefits Brokerage and Consulting Services at CAL, was awarded on February 4, 2011.

The contract is worth $9 million annually. At the tenders committee meeting which included: Nicholas, vice-chairman Mohan Jaikaran, diretcors Allan Clovis and Gizelle Russell, Insurance Manager Ronald Sukhbir and Human Resources Manager Charmaine Heslop Da Costa, CIC Insurance Brokers was one of three companies shortlisted. The other two companies were Risk Management Services, an independent broker which was formerly a member of Guardian Holdings Ltd and Global Financial Services. Global Financial Services was deemed unfit and their proposal discarded and Jaikaran proposed 21st Century Insurance Ltd.

Risk Management Services, the incumbent broker, was selected in 2007 when it was part of GHL. The Sunday Guardian learnt that the managers of Risk bought out the company from GHL two years ago. Former CAL chairman Arthur Lok Jack, who served under the PNM administration, is also the chairman of GHL. Risk Management Services scored the highest during the evaluations, with CIC Insurance Brokers placing second and 21st Century Ltd, placing third. The Sunday Guardian was informed that Jaikaran lobbied, during the tenders meeting for 21st Century, an insurance company based in Chaguanas, but the company was rejected on the legal advice of Giselle Russell.

Russell, the Sunday Guardian was told, contended that the company was small and never undertook a project the size of which CAL demanded. “Propoganda was perpetuated. Risk (Management Services) was said to still be associated with Guardian Holdings and its PNM- appointed chairman, Lok Jack. And then politics played off. The prejudice at the company is at the top. It was agreed that was not the direction the company should go,” a company source pointed out.  “We were given the impression that the political directorate would not approve of Risk Management Services because of the GHL link so we left it out,” another source told the Sunday Guardian. CIC Insurance Brokers, in which Nicholas declared his family had an interest to the tenders committee and exited the meeting, was selected by the Tenders Committee.

The Sunday Guardian learnt the 21st Century filed a complaint to CAL’s board about whether the company was dealt fairly in the selection process. The Broker’s letter of appointment stated that CIC Insurance Brokers Ltd was the exclusive insurance broker for CAL “with respect to our local and regional employee benefits program, which includes but is not limited to Group Health and Group Life insurances. The appointment is also in respect of services required for the implementation and management of Caribbean Airlines Limited Pension Plan.”

The letter, signed by Insurance Manager Ronald Sukhbir, continued: “This letter also constitues authority to furnish CIC Insurance Brokers Limited representatatives with all information they may request as it pertains to our Group Health and Life Insurance contracts and all other data they may wish to obtain for their study of which this letter applies. We request that you do not communicate such information to anyone else.”

Following the firing of former Planning, Economic and Social Restructuring minister Mary King, a red flag was raised in the company which prompted CAL’s internal auditor to inquire whether the its board has declared its interests. State boards have three months, after they are appointed, to declare their interests. The Guardian understands that apart from the verbal revelation in the committee meeting, Nicholas has not declared his interest formally through CAL’s legal department as yet.

Nicholas’ US$99,000 advertisement

One of the thorny issues the CAL board has objected to with regard to its chairman was his “unilateral, high-handed” approach to conducting business. In March, Nicholas agreed to pay Global Business Worldwide—a company subcontracted by Fortune magazine to do country report/advertorials—the sum of US$99,000 for two full-page advertisements. The board was not consulted about this decision and payment was authoised by Nicholas.

Global Business submitted two invoices—one to Caribbean Airlines, Piarco and the other to Jamaican Airlines, Kingston, Jamaica. The invoice, dated March 1, read: Advertisement in a special report on Trinidad and Tobago to be distributed with Fortune magazine.  The total: US$49,500. Total for two advertisements: US$99,000. A 50 per cent downpayment was paid on March 16 and the remaining 50 per cent on March 31. The Sunday Guardian understands that when the invoice reached the CAL’s Finance Department, there were no supporting documents save Nicholas’ stamp of authorisation. The advertisements are supposed to run in the July edition of the magazine. Nicholas, the Sunday Guardian understands, will also be featured in the special report of T&T.

Vice Chairman follies

But Nicholas isn’t the only member of the infighting board to benefit from CAL’s bounties. CAL, the Sunday Guardian understands, has increased its advertising on World Indian Network Television (WIN TV), which is owned by Mohan Jaikaran- since November 2010. Jaikaran along with the rest of the board was sworn in on November 2010.

• On December 9, 2010, Caribbean Airlines paid Win Communication Ltd $28.750.00

• On December 9, 2010, Caribbean Airlines also paid Win TV-$25,000 for “Divali Package 2010 with ads on WIN TV and Win Radio

• On March 24, 2011, Caribbean Airlines paid WIN Communication Ltd-$17,526.00. That sum was paid for a Caribbean Airlines banner of WIN TV website for the months of January and February 2011.

• On May 5, 2011, Caribbean Airlines paid WIN Communication Ltd- $17,526.00. 

• CAL has also paid an invoice for a Caribbean Airlines banner of WIN TV website for November and December 2010.

The Sunday Guardian has copies of all cheques and invoices. The advertising spend has become a concern of the employees of the state-owned airline: “You are not supposed to feed off the very thing you are governing. That’s wrong,” a CAL employee disclosed. Staff at CAL told the Sunday Guardian that they’ve never seen the situation this bad before and expressed concern about the future of the company.

Air Jamaica

A two week extension negotiated by CAL for the signing of their final agreement with Jamaica, for Air Jamaica’s routes, will end today. The Guardian understands that Nicholas and Jaikaran along with CAL’s corporate secretary Nerine Small, are scheduled to go to Jamaica today to sign the agreement. On April 29, one day before the Shareholders Agreement with Jamaica was due to be consumated, Nicholas went ahead and negotiated a two-week extension. The board had been in suspension by line Minister, Jack Warner, and had not finalised the final terms of arrangements.

Nicholas, in an email on April 29 at 5 pm, to CAL’s directors and management which was copied to line Minister Jack Warner and then acting prime minister Winston Dookeran stated: “We have today executed an extension as the Prime Minister (Kamla Persad-Bissessar) has negotiated with Prime Minister Golding for the extension of personnel provision agreement to now be signed on or before June 30, 2011.” Nicholas, the Guardian understands, did not consult with Warner, Dookeran or the CAL board on the matter but dealt with the Prime Minister directly. At the time, Persad-Bissessar headed a 40-member contingent to the World Economic Forum in Brazil.

The Guardian understands that Nicholas’ email was in response to an email sent to the Prime Minister by Warner stating the urgent need to formalise the Shareholders’ Agreement and begin CAL’s permanent acquisition of Air Jamaica.  The Guardian understands that following his email, Nicholas and one of CAL’s directors Gizelle Russell faxed this position, now a supplemental agreement to AJ chairman, Dennis Lalor. Attempts to reach several people: Nicholas, Jaikaran and Warner were futile. Director Allan Clovis, who answered his phone, told the Sunday Guardian that he was steering clear of commenting on anything until a decision of the board’s future had been made. The CAL board is scheduled to meet on Tuesday.

Timeline of CaL Board

November 2010

• Caribbean Airlines board sworn in. George Nicholas is selected as chairman. The other board member include vice chairman, Mohan Jaikaran, Allan Clovis, Gizelle Russell, Susan Smith, Avedanand Persad and Venosh Sagewan-Maraj.

• On November 26 former chief executive, Captain Ian Brunton fired. His dismissal is described as a “necessary adjustment.  The issue of Brunton’s dismissal centered on the purchase of nine ATR 72-600 aircraft for US$200 million ($1.28 bn). Nicholas favoured Bombadier.

Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner  upset. He calls for the board to do the “ethical” thing and resign.

December 2010

•On December 13, 2010—CAL board issues a three-page release stating they will not resign.

• In rebuttal, Warner said the board of state-owned Caribbean Airlines can continue to“ramajay.”

•  Attorney General Anand Ramlogan commissioned a review of the controversial ATR purchase by aviation expert John Dunne. Dunne supports the purchase of ATR.

January 2011

• Warner and Nicholas make peace.

• January 14, 2010—Warner and Nicholas launch a re-branded Air Jamaica in Jamaica. Nicholas announes that Air Jamaica will soon be flying to Heathrow.

• Formal agreement with ATR is signed.

February 2011

• On February 17, the board met with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to express their dissatisfaction at the way Nicholas is running the airline. CAL board wants Nicholas to step down. Warner is left in the dark.

• The board members also expressed their concern to Works and Transport Minister, Jack Warner.

March 2011

• More rumblings at CAL. Warner and Permanant Secretary meet with board to discuss the situation. He makes a recommendation to the Prime Minister. Persad Bissessar, on her return from the Commonwealth meeting, was expected to make a decision.

• Warner suspends board.

• Kamla refers matter to the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

April 2011

• April 16, 2010—Finance Minister Winston Dookeran writes to the Prime Minister. Dookeran said the board should be dissolved and “reconstituted with persons with knowledge and competence in the field.”

“The commercial stakes are high and the cost of political inaction will be high as well,” Dookeran wrote.

• Persad-Bissessar says she’s still awaiting a report from FNGP on CAL issue.

• CAL misses April 30 deadline finalisation of Shareholder Agreement with Air Jamaica.

• Warner appealed to AG Ramlogan to “do whatever it takes” to disband the current board of directors of CAL.

[boss]

Scary...

Caribbean Airlines Flight BW 523 crash landed at CJIA with 154 Passengers and 8 crew members aboard
http://ncnguyana.com/ncngy/index.php/local/local-news/social-issues/1034-caribbean-airlines-flight-bw-523-crash-landed-at-cjia-with-154-passengers-and-8-crew-members-aboard

One-hundred and fifty four passengers and eight crew members aboard a Caribbean Airlines Flight BW 523 were on Saturday morning rescued from a smoking aircraft, which crash landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

No one on board the flight lost their life. The incident is reported to have occurred around 1 hours 25 today. President Bharrat Jagdeo is currently on the scene leading a high-level government team which includes Transport Minister Robeson Ben, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh and Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.

Further investigations have revealed that at the time of touch down it was raining heavily. Initial reports are at this time that the pilot’s vision was obscured by the heavy rainfall and misty conditions which led to him actually touching down the aircraft mid-way of the runway.

This resulted in the aircraft exhausting the end of the stretch, plunging through the perimeter fence of the airport. The Caribbean Airlines leased Boeing 737 stopped straddling the road leading to the South Dakota Circuit. Firefighters on the ground quickly worked to cut passengers and crew members out of the aircraft which has broken into two halves by the time it came to a halt.

The pilot is said to have sustained a broken leg while an unknown number of persons have suffered injuries about their bodies. NCN has learnt that flight 523 was a connecting flight from John F Kennedy airport to Miami, Florida before stopping in Port Of Spain Trinidad.

The flight was expected to arrive in Guyana at 21:25 hours on Friday but was delayed arriving at 1:25. A source close to the fire service stated that one of the plane engines was said to be smoking at the time of rescue operations. Civil Aviation Authority officials are currently being assisted by Firefighters, soldiers and police conducting initial investigations.

NCN spoke with Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy as he arrived at the airport. We have since learnt that a press conference is ongoing at the airport. Stay tuned to NCN as we bring you updates as we receive them. NCN has several crews on the ground and we will keep you informed.

A release from Caribbean Airlines on its website states that its Boeing 737-800, operating as flight # BW523, en route from Port of Spain, Trinidad to Georgetown, Guyana has been involved in an incident at the Cheddi Jaggan International Airport in Guyana at approximately 01.32 hours.

The airline says there were no fatalities. Caribbean Airlines immediately activated its emergency response programme and is in direct contact with the relevant authorities. The airline’s primary concern at this time is for those on board the aircraft and their families.

The release goes on to state that Details of the incident will be released as soon as all information has been confirmed.

Caribbean Airlines says it will continue to release information as it becomes available. A press briefing is scheduled for 0.700hours at the VIP lounge at Piarco International Airport.

[Jah Gol]

Caribbean Airlines says it will continue to release information as it becomes available. A press briefing is scheduled for 0.700hours at the VIP lounge at Piarco International Airport.

http://www.i955fm.com/watch-i955-fm-studio-live.html

[D.H.W]

plane broke up in about 2-3 pieces, d main section. Saw a picture on BBC . Not good







http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2011/07/30/breaking-news-plane-crash-at-cjia/