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REDjet Sabotaged By Caricom: The Big Two Jamaica And Trinidad

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Two events occurred in the news this week which confirmed to BU that Caricom is in a coma. A mini-Caricom summit held in Guyana saw four heads absent, Prime Minister of Trinidad among them. In the obligatory end of summit communiqué which nobody reads except Rickey Singh, the heads advised the world implementation of a common currency would be further delayed until a review of the Guyana-based Caricom Secretariat. Have to admit the decision was a surprise, in fact the Caribbean is still in shock!

The other happening was REDjet’s decision to cancel plans to fly the Trinidad and Jamaica air routes. It is no secret both Jamaica and Trinidad have frustrated REDjet’s application to operate its low-cost airline between Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad and Jamaica. Barbados and Guyana gave the all clear to REDjet about a month ago.

One of the hindrances to movement of people in the region, whether for leisure or business, is the prohibitive cost of air travel. One would have thought our leaders in Caricom would have welcomed the opportunity to clear the hurdles for REDjet and others whose objective is to provide an affordable transportation service.   Instead we have the ridiculous situation of the Trinidad and Jamaica governments tag teaming REDjet and as they say the rest is history. Coincidentally the merger agreement between Air Jamaica and Caribbean Airlines after considerable delay was inked yesterday (26 May 2011).

It was not too long ago UWI lecturers Tennyson Joseph and Norman Girvan blamed the late Prime Minister David Thompson for the lack of progress in Caricom. Who are they blaming now? Why is regionalist Peter Wickham silent on this matter? They are all pushing regional integration but we have the leaders from the Big Two in Caricom constructively blocking competition which has the effect of making it expensive for people to move around the region. The hypocrisy has ben truly exposed.

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164 responses to “REDjet Sabotaged By Caricom: The Big Two Jamaica And Trinidad”

  1. David Avatar
    David

    @OLD SCHOOL

    Which comment is political?

    Do you mean Alien’s comment? One out of 100?

    You are right however, Bajans look to politicians to solve the world’s problems.

  2. TRAINED ECONOMIST Avatar
    TRAINED ECONOMIST

    Over the past few months there has been much discussion and media coverage of issues related to health care policy in Barbados. Despite the volume of media coverage I remain unclear as to a number of issues, which restricts my ability to adequate assess the health care policy issues being raised.

    Form what I have been able to glean there are three issues out there:
    1. Only nationals and permanent residents are now entitled to free health care in Barbados.

    Removed to a separate blog

    David

  3. Alien Avatar
    Alien

    http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2011/05/29/1598007/fifa-suspends-executives-bin-hammam.html

    Mohamed bin Hammam, a Qatari who leads Asia’s soccer confederation, and Jack Warner, a FIFA vice president from Trinidad, will now face a full FIFA inquiry, the soccer body said.

  4. Retaliate Avatar
    Retaliate

    The best way to wake up these people in Trinidad and Jamaica is for Bajans to boycott products from those two countries. Most people don’t know that the Redjet issue is only the tip of the iceberg. The Trinis are putting-up non-tariff barriers against Pine Hill Dairy products and the Jamaicans are blocking Hipac pork products. The St Lucians are blocking Bajan-made furniture – it goes on and on. Will Bajans ever have the willingness to retaliate? I sinecerely doubt it, because we like to complain, but carry on in the same old way.

  5. Retaliate Avatar
    Retaliate

    By the way, has Warner spelled-out exactly how much he needs from Redjet yet?

  6. the Scout Avatar
    the Scout

    I see the DLP has been successful in diverting the bloggers away from the REDjet issue. However you look at it,this matter will not go away, in fact it will get worse so unless or until MY P.M comes out of his hole and make a definitive statement on the matter, the regional governments will cease the opportunity to turn the screws tighter on Barbados. Failing the P.M’s intervention, bajans will have to picket T&T businesses in Barbados, we can picket on business per day until they get the message.

  7. ruth arnetta Avatar
    ruth arnetta

    leave mr stuart alone. he is being blamed for problems not of his own making because he is not charismatic.the hypocritical barbadian public continues to lash stuart for indiscretions committed by mr thompson for which they dare not criticise mr thompson, but truth will win out; is that class element which fuelled the thompson /mascoll fiasco rearing its ugly head again surreptiously in the ranks of the dlp? just food for thought.

  8. ruth arnetta Avatar
    ruth arnetta

    the blp was lambasted for allowing the trinis to buy into barbadian business activity. matter of fact, it as an election issue elicting that famous statement from mr thompson that ” if he won the elections before the ink dries on the agreement for the takeover of barbados shipping and trading by the trinis, then the agreement would not take place” we all know that this was only an election gimmick because the election was won and the ink was not dried and the take over still took place. so much for mamaguying as the trinis say. since then, there has been a take over of other enterprises by the trinis but not a song and dance from the biased electorate.

  9. Tony Avatar
    Tony

    With poor REDjet not getting any help it better they close down.They have spent over 20 million already.There is no way they can last long as Barbados only has CAT 2 status and cannot fly into the US.

  10. Headman John Crow Avatar
    Headman John Crow

    @Retaliate
    I refer you to my posting a day or so ago in which I noted that, as the perfect place, this great island, Barbados, which has the capacity to stand alone, and certainly does not need to be contaminated by Jamaicans, does not need any air connection with us, as REDjet is try to establish. Plus, Bajans are super educated, more so than anyone else in the region – if not on earth also; they are not Negroes either, or, if marginally so, they are super-Negroes. They are first world; Jamaica is a developing country with all the a problems associated with that. Why then, would wonderful Barbados need to have any contact with Jamaica?

    Yes, virgin Barbados should avoid violated Jamaicans like the plague. Inferior as they are, Jamaicans will only come to your Eden-like paradise to ruin it: keep the rascals out, I beg of you. A low fare Airline will only bring in Jamaicans in droves, forcing for you, more cavity searches, not to mention police officers becoming naughty as well!

    As for boycotts, Jamaica does not deserve your superior products either and certainly should stay away from buying them: inferior people we are, we do not deserve such high quality things that your superior culture produces.

    Again, Barbados can stand alone. It has the capacity and wherewithal to do it. It does not need Jamaica. As for the other CARICOM states, they can speak for themselves. Thanks for alerting us to what needs to be done, Retaliate!

  11. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    Scout,

    Dont worry our PM must be awaiting detailed reports from all concerned and that the matter is receiving his full attention. (like he said of the Myrie case). Oh how I wish he was, but wait is this the way he intends to govern???

    I see someone was questioning the wisdom of REDjet in not securing licences from Trinidad and Jamaica earlier. REDjet was led to believe that once they got the Barbados licence, they did not need one because of an existing MO between Caricom countries.

    Maybe now that Jack Warner has been put in his place and has to climb back down to earth, he will grant the licence. He is now not so powerful and mighty!

  12. David Avatar
    David

    @Tony

    Unfortunately it looks like you maybe correct. REDjet appears to be still born. What a shame.

  13. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    This inept Barbados government did not help REDjet’s situation when they kept them waiting for over 10 months to get the necessary licence.

  14. Just Only Asking Avatar
    Just Only Asking

    Jack Warner has been brought down to earth, with the recent ruling

  15. John Gunter Avatar
    John Gunter

    This REDjet matter with T&T and Jamaica siding with each other against Barbados is laughable, or maybe it is not. It might be because of what was said by Lord Palmerston, that countries do not have permanent friends, only permanent interests.

    Once it was Jamaica and Barbados who were in cahoots, lambasting the rest of Islands. Bajans in Jamaica were loved to death, marrying each other, lovey dovey and kissing up to each other, wining and dining regularly at UWI and other places.

    Jamaicans and Guyanese and perhaps people from Antigua also got on well. Now, it is the Bajans and the Guyanese who are quickly befriending each other, forget the bench at Grantley Adams Airport that the Bajans keep for Guyanese visitors, after poking their fingers in royal places too lewd to mention here. The Jamaicans should know that it was not Shanique Myrie alone or the the first to be raped (they are acting like they alone have suffered at the hands of the Bajans).

    But, now Kamla after being challenged by the Jamaicans for her comments extolling T&T generosity to the region, she dropped her arrogance and Bruce and she have become best friends and their people now teaming up against Bajan’s interests in this REDjet and pork rind market.

    llashback: Once Argentinians used to think of themselves as superior to their South American neighbors, seeing themselves as Europeans. Then the 1982 war with Britain came and Europe sided with Britain against Argentina. It was the first time that the Argis realized that they needed friendly neighbors and should not set themselves apart as being better than others.

    Politics do have some strange bed-fellows indeed — Barbados+Guyana= Jamaica+Trinidad. What a world! It would laughable were it not a matter to weep over!

  16. Corve Avatar
    Corve

    I hate that they did not welcome RedJet but they will feel the effects some way or the other.

  17. David Avatar
    David

    @Prodigal Son

    It took 10 months to get approval because the Civil Aviation Department is under resourced. Back in times of plenty we should have better positioned that unit and acquire CAT 1 designation.

  18. Alien Avatar
    Alien

    When Trinidad gives approval, Jamaica’s approval will follow – Trinidad is the senior partner in that alliance and has taken the lead – much like the USA sets the tone for its allies.

  19. islandgal246 Avatar
    islandgal246

    @Headman John Crow | May 29, 2011 at 10:11 PM |

    You are only here to stir up trouble, why don’t you use that stuff between your ears constructively? If the world was to concentrate on the atrocities that Jamaicans have done to each other in Jamaica and elsewhere we would run out of space. Time is the only healer so either give constructive thought to this forum or take some time off until you heal. You sound very bitter and hurt.

  20. Alien Avatar
    Alien

    Minister Jones, is it now prudent to suspend JW, as head of the regional football association, pending the outcome of the FIFA investigation?

  21. islandgal246 Avatar
    islandgal246

    @Alien even when and if permission is granted to fly to Trinidad and Jamaica, Red jet will be under scrutiny and will be targeted for any minor infractions in an attempt to further sabotage them.

    We are now seeing the true colours of the Caribbean…..I wonder how long will Jack the briber will remain in the present government after all these accusations. At this moment internationally he has become the face of Trinidad and Tobago and it is not a good looking one to boot.

  22. Steupse Avatar
    Steupse

    @islandgal246

    Warner leave the T&T government? What?! Corruption is so endemic they are still wondering what the fuss is about.

    @Headman John Crow
    How succinctly and accurately you have summarised the situation!

    Steupse!

  23. Headman John Crow Avatar
    Headman John Crow

    @ Islandgal
    As I plan to not discuss this matter any further and, frankly, because I respect Islandgal — she has always been funny, thoughtful and somewhat reasonable — I must say that, yes, Jamaicans have their problem; but they are ours, Bajans’ . Your people cannot have it both ways: Since they are better than others — a distinction that I am ready to accord them –and Yardies are inferior, why do they want to contaminate themselves with us!

    In regional affairs, and I am not trying to start up things, IG, it is your folks who are the bullies. Consider it is our girls who are being raped in your country, by your government officials; It is Sir Hilary who compared Chris Gayle to Dudus; it is our people who are having fingers and other object gleefully invading body cavities; among a host of other atrocities. On the contrary, in Jamaica Bajans freely mix in with Yardies, no one even think of where they came from. Ask your former PM Owen Arthur who used to live here and is still greatly respected here; ask the tons of others who work here, in nursing, mining, education, students etc; or those who are married to J’cans and live as Commonwealth citizens here, voting and the like. No one bothers them, non think that they are different from us.

    We have other more important things to do than to act un-neighborly toward a fellow Caribbean citizen, or,as the we here, the “cousins”. Frankly, we even liked Bajans, poking fun at their accents occasionally as they do at our patios for fun. Ask one Bajan if a Jamaican had ever treated her unfairly here! That is more than Shanique Myrie and hundreds more of my people can say about your people.

    So I am angry; Jamaicans are now angry too; and most of us do not want to have anything to do with Bajans. At the same time, we’d never mistreat any of them, not even Maxine McClean or Harry Husbands, who, I acted to inhumanely after the rape of Myrie, dismissing her claim as a lie. Jamaicans will ever remain respectful of Mia and Owen who, without saying the matter occurred as stated, at least made sensible remarks thagt cooled the tension.

    So, yes, I am bitter, IG, very bitter. And that is why I will take up your offer and stay off writing in this medium — at least for a while. Walk good!

  24. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    David,

    “It took 10 months to get approval because the Civil Aviation Department is under resourced. Back in times of plenty we should have better positioned that unit and acquire CAT 1 designation.”

    I could tell you why it took so long but you said I always have stories. It is not only that the CAD is under resourced.

  25. David Avatar
    David

    @Prodigal Son

    Now don’t get all thin-skinned.

    Is it true or not the government had to wait on resources to perform the REDjet due diligence which was not available in the Civil and Aviation Department locally?

  26. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    As pompous as Jack Warner is and the obnoxious way he has handled REDjet, I actually felt sorry to see a Caribbean man reduced to ground level and made to look like a real crook today on the BBC.

    To top it all off, it seems as though he is not going to go down by himself, he has leaked an email about how Quatar was awarded the bid, thus implicating Hammam and he seems to want to take down Blatter.

    Anyone who follows football would know that under ordinary circumstances, Quatar would never be awarded the World Cup and to the naked eye, one can only come to the conclusion that money had to pass hands. A country that has no football history, a strict muslim country and the time of the year the tournament would take place, temperatures would be over 100 degrees, it just did not make sense.

    Enuff, I too would like to know who of the BFA attended the May 10-11. Did they receive one of the envelopes?

  27. ac Avatar
    ac

    There is something about this Redjet process that bothers me and i am not quite ready yet to point the finger at T@T and Jamaica.

  28. Colonel Buggy Avatar
    Colonel Buggy

    There is something about this Redjet process that bothers me and i am not quite ready yet to point the finger at T@T and Jamaica.

    @ac . And be careful how you point a finger in Caricom Land.

  29. Colonel Buggy Avatar
    Colonel Buggy

    Head Man John Crow shares something in common with HRH Prince Philip ,the Queen’s husband. Prince Philip was a Stoker on a naval vessel during WW2.

  30. Headman John Crow Avatar
    Headman John Crow

    @Colonel Buggy
    I am no a stoker. I set no fire nor unhinged any Pandora Box. I am hurting though. My people are hurting too. Jamaicans are devastated and feel betrayed and scandalized. The Shanique Myrie case is too recent. And, if there is silence about it in Barbados, the noise has not settled about it here at all. Everything has now changed between us. The UWI games, the REDjet affair, and the cold distancing between our people are only few of the results. So, I am a realist, not a stoker. Nice try nonetheless. Walk good!

  31. Just Only Asking Avatar
    Just Only Asking

    @ Headman John Crow

    You got to be kidding, I have heard of instances where Barbadians have been disrepected in your country. You are paintng a utopia of Jamaaica.

    Until the kady can come to barbados and it can be established that the incident has occureed, then you and others should stop using the incidence to stoke fire. IT HAS ONLY BE PROVEN that there was only one incidence where mistreatmen had occured. You are giving the impression that we are so insular. WE must be nationalistic, that is what make people proud of their culture.

    There are a number of jamiacans living here and are happy to be here and are welcomed, There are a number involved in unsavoury behaviuour, further corrupting our society. Every coutryman should be pround of his country, but i wont sit here ande allow to pull town our institutions which we have built up and which are well respected, unlike in your coutry where life is meaningless and there are only the very rich and the very poor,, oh what an unjust society. Senseless murders are commiitted including innocent children. with reckless abandon.

    You are givinng the imprssiosn that your country men are so pure, yet there are senseless killings stoke by politcal stupidity and the drug culure. Based on population size, your county has one of the highest muder rate in the world. Why are most countries requesting that your countymen have visas before entering their country, including Commonwealt countries? Because your countrymen breach their laws with impunity, including drug peddling.

    Hilary analogy comparing Gayle’s attitude to a don was correct and he should not have apologized. I dont suscribe to disrepecting anybody, but the immigration officers have our lqws to uphold. We have to ensure that visitors do not abuse of immigration laws and that apply to all.

    Jamaica is so insular that it does not subscibe to the CCJ and hardly cares about CARICOM. A lot of you are envious of us because our instittuions function and are not as corrupt as yours. Dont you come preaching to us, any violation of a preson’s right will be investigation, that for the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries.

    So go wiled and deal and come again.

  32. islandgal246 Avatar
    islandgal246

    @Headman John Crow

    I thought you promised me that you would take a break from here or the subject you keep pounding on. You have to realize that the world is not a perfect place and we all are not perfect people including us Bajans. Yes some of us can be accused of being arrogant and self centered and come over as know it all. But that is not all of us, please take a break and look at the bigger picture for the Caribbean. We are slowly disintegrating and soon we would be total strangers. The Red jet drama is just another nail to the disintegration process. At the moment all of us in the Caribbean are held ransomed to CAL and Liat and we want a solution. Red jet may have been that solution.

  33. BGI Avatar
    BGI

    http://rjrnewsonline.com/business/redje … val-fly-ja

    REDjet not suing over delay in getting approval to fly to JA
    Mon. May 30, 2011

    So now we see the story behind the story:

    REDjet was blocked from setting up operations in Jamaica, because of the sale of the state-carrier Air Jamaica to Caribbean Airlines – the Jamaican Government didn’t want to jeopardize the sale by allowing a competing carrier to challenge or weaken the deal.

    Then REDjet was blocked from starting services to Jamaica, because of the agreement to sign completing the sale of Air Jamaica to Caribbean Airlines – the Jamaican Government wanted to ensure that Caribbean Airlines went through with the signing and didn’t jeopardize the sale by allowing a competing carrier to challenge by flying the exact routes (POS-KIN and BGI-KIN) that Caribbean Airlines wanted to fly.

    This begs the question:
    – What do we all expect to happen when REDjet applies for permission to base a few aircraft in Jamaica?
    – Who is pulling the strings within the Jamaican Government, as far as this “deal” is concerned?

  34. Headman John Crow Avatar
    Headman John Crow

    @Islandgal
    Because of my respect for you, Islandgal, I will keep silent this time.I apologize, for going back on my word. This is is so unlike me: I’ve always been a man of my word. Please forgive me, IG. Walk good.

  35. Anonymouse Avatar
    Anonymouse

    Strange what a difference a month makes only two months ago Barbadians were beating a nationalist drum about the need to protect their shores from hordes of Jamaican drug dealers/Drug mules/prostitutes /murderers bent on undermining Barbadian values. Sorry you cant have it both ways you cant want to ignore CARICOM on the Grounds of “security” then want to use it to force entry into our market.
    Jamaicans are also trying to figure out just what the implications of the merger are for the country and Jamaican travelers. The operations of Air Jamaica have never been transparent and what we do know is that billions of dollars of taxpayers money has been used to prop up the airline based on the argument that it is a vital support to the tourist industry. There is evidence that even after being privatized the GOJ was still subsidizing the operations of the airline. Our worry is that after being prostituted to the private sector , we are now being prostituted to the Trinidadians and I guess the Barbadians are waiting for their turn.
    But for what its worth if there is a need to protect a ”Jamaican” airline the focus would be on the most profitable routes. Which are the routes to North America ( Miami, New York) and Europe. Jamaica has at least two American Budget airlines operating on these routes. I doubt that Red Jet would be a serious concern.
    As to Barbadian politics we don’t know and we don’t care we have enough on our plates with the current group of jack asses who have conspired to make our country a laughing stock. I would strongly advise that you keep out of our politics. Most Jamaicans are of the opinion that our politicians are a slimy bunch and that tends to color our views of their regional colleagues, So when a Barbadian politician or official denies an incident the natural reaction is this Guy/Girl is a lying sack of crap.
    I will shed no tears for Red Jet or Bizzy or Buzzy or whatever his name is.

  36. David Avatar
    David

    @Anonymouse

    Read this link and pick up the pieces of glass and go away:

    Haitians decry mistreatment of young soccer team by Jamaica

    Marchers denounced the treatment of Haiti’s Under-17 soccer squad by Jamaican authorities after two players became ill.
    BY JACQUELINE CHARLES
    jcharles@MiamiHerald.com

    PORT-AU-PRINCE — Angry over the treatment of their children by a Caribbean neighbor, they came out by the thousands – young and old, rich and poor, artists and athletes.

    For three hours Saturday, they braved the sweltering heat, singing, dancing and walking shoulder-to-shoulder in an unusual display of Haitian solidarity to protest what they are calling Jamaica’s discriminatory and humiliating treatment of Haiti’s Under-17 soccer players during a World Cup qualifying tournament in Montego Bay.

    “What happened to these young men could happen to anyone of us. We are here to send a response to Jamaica: They have people to defend them,’’ said Jenel Saint-Jean, 31.

    Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/02/19/2076053_haitians-decry-mistreatment-of.html#storylink=addthis#ixzz1Nw5fIhjF

    http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/02/19/2076053_haitians-decry-mistreatment-of.html#storylink=addthis

  37. Anonymouse Avatar
    Anonymouse

    @ David
    The Jamaican Authorites investigated and engaged their Haitain counterparts. There was not an instant denial.
    As to picking up the broken glass going away thats exactly what I am saying to you and Red Jet.

  38. David Avatar
    David

    @Anonymouse

    You obviously did not read the article but that is to be expected.

    You can have the last word.

  39. David Avatar
    David

    Is it not logical to talk about the movement of people in the region and a common air space in the same breath?

  40. Christopher Halsall Avatar
    Christopher Halsall

    @David: “Is it not logical to talk about the movement of people in the region and a common air space in the same breath?

    Sure it is.

    But… Are we?

    Hmmmm….

  41. Whistleblower Avatar
    Whistleblower

    SHAMEFUL!

  42. Colonel Buggy Avatar
    Colonel Buggy

    Did Barbados receive a $40,000 handout from Jack Warner? Suriname admitted it did.
    Perhaps the Hon. Ronald Jones could shed some light on this .

  43. Colonel Buggy Avatar
    Colonel Buggy

    And I’ll bet that this airline will have no problems when it is ready to fly into Barbados.

    http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Caribbean-cargo-airline-to-begin-Jamaica-flights

  44. Headman John Crow Avatar
    Headman John Crow

    An inquiry from Headman John Crow:

    Who is the official Leader of the Opposition in the Barbados Parliament: Is it Mia Mottley or Owen Arthur? This is a simple inquiry there is no hidden agenda!

  45. BGI Avatar
    BGI

    @ Colonel Buggy:

    U know it!

  46. Colonel Buggy Avatar
    Colonel Buggy

    Headman John Crow | June 2, 2011 at 11:04 PM |
    An inquiry from Headman John Crow:

    Who is the official Leader of the Opposition in the Barbados Parliament: Is it Mia Mottley or Owen Arthur? This is a simple inquiry there is no hidden agenda!

    No hidden agenda, but it is dressed in Disruptive Pattern Material.

  47. Headman John Crow Avatar
    Headman John Crow

    Islandgal or Chris Halsall:
    ‘
    RE: inquiry, Can you please tell me. I have no idea what on earth is meant by Colonel Buggy’s answer.

  48. Colonel Buggy Avatar
    Colonel Buggy

    @Headman John Crow
    Disruptive Pattern Material (DPM) ,aka Camouflage clothing.

  49. Headman John Crow Avatar
    Headman John Crow

    @C/Buggy
    Maybe there is something I am not getting. I do not know much, in fact very little about your country, having lived in the US for over forty years. What is this DPM stuff and the other mystical statements you’ve made? Let’s forget about it.

  50. Colonel Buggy Avatar
    Colonel Buggy

    @HJC , its just a play on the words “Hidden” and “Camouflage.” Walk Good.

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