Guyana slams American Airlines over poor treatment of CARICOM prime ministers

The Guyana government Wednesday criticized American Airlines for continuing to “pay scant regard” to its requests after two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) prime ministers became the latest high level officials to fall victim to the airline’s policy.

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In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the airline had refused to allow Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley and his St. Vincent and the Grenadines colleague, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves to check in through the VIP Lounge at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Noting that it was not taking any blame for the undignified treatment of the visiting Caribbean leaders, the ministry said based on previous similar experience with American Airlines, the carrier had been asked formally to accord the necessary treatment to the two leaders to no avail.

“All government protocols were in place to facilitate their departure. Despite American Airlines having been written to, prior to the arrival of the prime ministers in Guyana, for them to be accorded the courtesies of check in on departure from the VIP Lounge, the airline refused to acquiesce to the ministry’s request and insisted that the prime ministers leave the lounge to present themselves to the check-in counter,” the Foreign Ministry said.

The Foreign Ministry said the Guyana government intends to formally communicate its displeasure of this most recent action by the airline that has caused “embarrassment not only nationally, but also to our regional friends”.

The ministry said it “sincerely regrets the inconvenience” caused to the two visiting prime ministers, who were travelling to Miami, en route to The Bahamas for the 44^th Caribbean Community (CARICOM) summit in Nassau.

The Foreign Ministry said the Guyana government had previously protested against this position taken by American Airlines against its own high and senior government officials, but without success.

“They have continued to pay scant regard to the Government’s requests for entitlements to the positions held to be respected,” the ministry said.

CMC/

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