Some Caribbean countries were told to provide a firm date when their airports would be reopened or risk being excluded from American Airlines’ rotation until November, it has been revealed.
The tourism dependent countries were forced to close their airports in March to stop the spread of COVID-19. A few have since reopened.
“I know for example that American Airlines would have read the riot act to a few Caribbean countries and would have said to them that if they do not give them a specific timeline as to when they will reopen their airports, that they would not be part of their rotation between now and October,” Prime Minister Gaston Browne said Saturday.
“So they may have to wait until about November before they can get flights. And I don’t know any country within the Caribbean, that is heavily dependent on tourism, that would risk not opening before November because of the economic consequences.”
Browne did not say if Antigua and Barbuda was among the countries given an ultimatum.
Antigua and Barbuda reopened the V.C. Bird International Airport on June 1, and its first international flight, American Airlines from Miami, landed on June 4.
“These airlines, they have billions of dollars in assets [and] those assets have been sitting down for about 90 days now, and they want to get their rotation going as soon as possible to start to move people so that they can turn a profit and they would not be faced with bankruptcy,” Browne said.
“So, you will find for example, that the Caribbean countries, especially those of us who are dependent on tourism, we really have no choice but to move in accordance with the wishes of those multinationals that wish us to move quickly so that they can start to move people and make money. And the reality is, if we don’t move quickly then there are consequences.”
Meanwhile, Browne said while some have argued that Antigua and Barbuda should have insisted on pre-testing for COVID before allowing people to travel to Antigua, that was not a practicable solution.
“The airport authorities, the airlines, they were not taking any responsibility to test anybody. In many instances they don’t even take the responsibility for passengers to wear masks, but at least American Airlines has been instituting that policy because that’s mandatory here, it’s mandatory for everyone to wear a mask here in Antigua and Barbuda, Browne said.
Our people are more important than their profits! Stop bullying. Nations have the right to determine their own safety. Tourism should not be the only way to make money anyway – a storm could destroy your whole island and your tourism is gone. You have no other plans? Then your leadership sucks – find more creative ways to boost your economy. Do not let these greedy companies rule your lands. They already use and abuse your people by paying them pennies while they rake in millions. Find other ways to assist income and certain businesses will just have to take a season off until there is a vaccine. Not every business can be guaranteed to be successful forever! Sometimes a business suffers a loss – prepare! Numbers in the US are still rising and they are doing nothing. MOST of the cases found on islands came from the US or the UK so why should we let an airline force the islands to take virus spreaders who don’t care who they kill? WHY? So a shop can sell some trinket from China or some jewelry store can sell something people can get anywhere? Sounds like American Airlines needs the riot act read to them – they are not in charge! Who do they think they are telling us to choose them or the people? Stop the bullying – the airline industry received BILLIONS in aid from US taxpayers – how many CEOs downsized or took pay cuts? This is unacceptable and the islands that fall for it are the ones where the leaders benefit while others suffer. Invest in your economy and stop pretending tourism is the only thing you can do. We owe NOTHING to the airline industry.
open the dam airport people need to travel
Corona virus shit
Suck wayna tickets life over profits
????????????????
I have researched this. Found nothing of a sort.
The airline will likely be relaunching service as more destinations reopen their borders in the Caribbean region.
It comes as other major carriers continue to resume service to regional destinations, including Southwest Airlines and Spirit.
“American’s top priority continues to be the safety and well-being of our customers and team members, and we are focused on following the latest guidance from health experts and government authorities,” Gonzalez said. “We want our customers to feel confident when traveling with us and we are looking forward to welcoming them at our airports and onboard our aircraft in the near
future.”
— CJ
I did find the above statement though. From 4 days ago.
Caribbean is at peace living for every one
No riot in Caribbean
Here we go again.. always a tell ppl how to live, but can’t fixed the problem in dem fking country..