(Trinidad Express) The Air Transport Licensing Authority (ATLA) has not granted new low-fares airline REDjet its commercial licence to begin operations in Trinidad and Tobago because it is yet to receive the airline’s application from the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA).
Ramesh Lutchmedial, Director General of the TTCAA, told the Express yesterday that the application has not been submitted to ATLA because his organisation was still ensuring that REDjet met all the necessary regulatory requirements.
“We are required to ensure that the operators complies with safety and security regulations before we recommend their application to ATLA. We are still engaged with the Barbados Civil Aviation regarding some operational issues that need to be resolved,” Lutchmedial said. “We can assure that this matter is being treated with the utmost urgency.”
REDjet is contending that it was told by TTCAA officials earlier this month that they were already compliant and believed that their application was ready to be submitted to ATLA last week Monday.
In a statement yesterday ATLA said that to date it has not received an application from REDJet for consideration.
ATLA said any application submitted for consideration will be treated with urgency.
A press release issued by the airline said, “The Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority confirmed in a meeting on May 5, 2011 in Port of Spain with the Minister of Works and Transport (Jack Warner) and officials from the Ministry that REDjet was indeed in compliance with the safety and security requirements for Foreign Air Operator Operations Specifications. This was communicated at the meeting to REDjet officials and subsequently to members of the media.”
“As such REDjet is seeking consideration with regards for the immediate issuance of permits to operate into Trinidad and Tobago in accordance with the statement by the line Minister to facilitate the application before the newly appointed ATLA can issue a formal licence.”
