June 22, 2020

CAL Recorded Over $96M In Losses In First Month Of Border Closure

By Newsroom

Minister of Public Administration and Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Allyson West. (Photo Courtesy the Parliament of Trinidad & Tobago)

Caribbean Airlines has reported a staggering $96.1 million in losses for the period March 23rd to April 30, due to the closure of borders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was revealed by Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Allyson West, during Monday’s sitting of the Senate.”As a wholly owned state enterprise, CAL has complied with government policy during the COVID-19 pandemic and maintained all of its staff on the payroll. Further, notwithstanding the fact that air travel is severely restricted at present, the Airline has also been required to keep its aircraft leases up to date and ensure that its aircrafts are air worthy and all of its systems are functioning in readiness for the resumption of flights. As a consequence, CAL’s estimated operating loss for the period March 23 to April 30 is US14.2 million or TT$96.1 million,” she said.

Over the weekend, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said borders will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

“You may hear that some of our neighbors are opening their borders because they believe that it is okay to open their borders for international travel. While we are part of the CARICOM system and would love to do everything with CARICOM, in this matter of our health there are some decisions  that are going to be CARICOM and there are some decisions that are going to be Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.

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