Trinidad and Tobago may soon welcome interCaribbean Airways into its skies as the airline has formally applied for permission to operate scheduled services.
This move is part of interCaribbean Airways’ broader strategy to expand its presence in the Caribbean region.
Competition on the horizon
Should interCaribbean be granted access, it will challenge the dominance of Caribbean Airlines (CAL), the national carrier jointly owned by the governments of Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.
Caribbean Airlines is on an expansion path itself, enhancing its route network with destinations across North America, the Caribbean, and Latin America. This includes the recent addition of a route connecting Trinidad to Puerto Rico via Barbados.
The expansion plans also feature an upgrade to the fleet, with new Boeing 737 Max 8s and ATR 72-600s aircraft and the introduction of Embraer E175s to serve both existing and new routes.
Addressing service challenges
interCaribbean Airways has faced criticism for service delays and perceived indifference from ground staff.
In response to these challenges, CEO Trevor Sadler outlined significant improvements made in recent months.
These improvements include a $750,000 investment in new equipment and the hiring of 53 additional staff members in Barbados to enhance service quality. Training initiatives were conducted at the University of the West Indies to ensure high service standards.
Plans for expansion and improvement
Despite past issues, interCaribbean is planning to expand its fleet and staff to better meet customer demands and phase out older aircraft, which may impact service quality.
The airline acknowledges the inherent challenges in the aviation industry, such as the availability of planes and crew at specific locations to avoid delays.
