REDjet had made last-ditch appeal to Barbados for $$

(Barbados Nation) A day after REDjet announced it was filing for bankruptcy, details emerged of a last-ditch appeal made to Government in May to save the Barbadian-based, low-cost carrier from going under.

In a letter to Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, executive group chairman Ian Burns pressed for payment of Bds$8 million which, he said, had been solemnly promised at a January 14 meeting attended by Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler, Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy, Minister of International Transport George Hutson and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Darcy Boyce.

In the May 21 correspondence to Stuart, Burns also formally requested payment by May 31 of the funds, which were expected through the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA).

A letter dated 25th January, 2012 caveated this solemn promise made under handshake with [the] Minister of Finance and [former REDjet director] Bizzy Williams, stating it was subject to Cabinet approval. By the 16th March, 2012 no approval had been sought. To this day, we do not have a signed agreement,” Burns complained.