After eight years at the helm, Garvin Medera has stepped down as chief executive officer of Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL), making him the longest-serving CEO in the carrier’s history.
According to Trinidad Express, Medera’s resignation comes months after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar issued an ultimatum to the airline’s management, warning them to “sort out the mess” within two years or face replacement. Sources said Medera, who is currently on vacation ahead of his departure, is in discussions with private sector organisations about possible new roles. He previously served as CEO of Digicel Play.
His exit is the latest in a string of leadership changes at State enterprises following the United National Congress’s general election victory on April 28, which prompted the resignation of the former CAL board. Reyna Kowlessar was appointed board chairman on June 24 for a two-year term, replacing Shameer “Ronnie” Mohammed, who stepped down after the polls.
Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo, the line minister for CAL, said he had not been formally informed of Medera’s resignation. In a WhatsApp message, he remarked: “Frankly I don’t think it’s the practice for persons resigning from jobs they held, to advise me. But I note your confidence that I am intimately familiar with Mr Medera’s or anyone else’s actions.”
The resignation comes at a time when Caribbean Airlines is facing heightened scrutiny. During a Monday Night Report in August, Persad-Bissessar described CAL as “a corrupt mess,” pointing to unprofitable routes and years of unaudited financial statements despite a finance department of 86 staff. She also noted that more than $60 million had been spent hiring Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers to conduct audits.
CAL has struggled financially in recent years. In 2021, the airline reported unaudited operating losses of US$48 million for the first half of the year, following similar losses in 2020 amid a sharp decline in passenger traffic due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, by 2023 the airline recorded a US$24.7 million operating profit, followed by US$12.1 million in 2024 (excluding debt service), with revenues climbing to US$444.6 million last year.
Despite the turnaround, cost-cutting measures remain. CAL announced it will discontinue services between Kingston and Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, effective November 2, 2025, as part of its network optimisation programme. The carrier also cancelled its annual career expo, originally slated for November, citing operational reasons.
Leadership reshuffles have also intensified in recent weeks. Last week, executive manager of finance Kern Gardiner was dismissed just before completing his probationary period. Chief financial officer Varuna Kuarsingh was placed on leave until October 10, with Neera Ramai-Williams appointed as acting CFO.
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