opinion

The cost and challenges of Caribbean air transport
by Clarence E. Pilgrim

The current world's cost of living and food crisis requires long-term solutions that address the needs of the poorest, without reproducing the problems which gave rise to the present conditions.

Caribbean ministers of government recently met in Antigua to discuss the cutbacks on US carrier flights to the region. The world airline industry over six and a half years after the destructive impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks, has tumbled from one crisis into another, as the price of jet fuel has risen by over 70 percent to date.

Whereas it is understandable that the airlines must take measures to ensure their survival and keep an adequate level of service, it must be emphasized that an acceptable standard of professionalism and customer care must also be involved.

Recently, I had an interesting experience flying on a particular airline. After landing at a Caribbean airport which was not my final destination, the captain announced that the plane's tire was in need of repair, hence we would have to wait in transit at the airport, for an engineer to be flown to effect the repairs. This exercise was estimated to take an hour. However, it was a considerably longer time and we left over three hours later. I am mindful that mechanical and other technical problems can occur, and when they do they must receive the highest priority. But it is inexcusable, to have passengers waiting for hours without the courtesy of an additional explanation or even an estimated "time-check." Like the airlines, we --- the paying customers --- have schedules that must be adjusted when events cause interference to the normal flow of things. Being properly informed of changes from one end, can result in the re-planning of one's schedule to take into account the adjustments or loss expectations which may occur.

With the obvious higher airfares, there must at least be the kind of customer care which prevent customers in a more or less monopolized market, from feeling like mere chattel being forced to sit in uncomfortable seats and served with snacks that sometimes leave you wondering what really is between the bread. I guess what makes it worth flying in the Caribbean is the aerial view of the breath-taking feast of beautiful islands, which adorns the magnificently blue Caribbean Sea, and the sea-island cotton-like clouds that flow over the horizons.

What is needed is an overall strategy to grapple with the problem of not only keeping air transportation affordable, but offer the kind of customer service that will make the Caribbean continue to be an attractive destination for both residents and tourist alike.

The Caribbean leadership collective, involving both government and business interests, should look at establishing a common air travel support fund to subsidize and stabilize Caribbean airlines, so that they can not only maintain efficiency in providing the economic necessities which keep the region alive, but to explore how new routes can be established to fill the vacuum, which is being left by airlines which once dominated a particular landscape.

A significant decision arising out of the meeting in Antigua is the need to commission a study on the future price of oil so that an effective plan of action can be put in place, to adequately manage the operations of the sector, so that there are no major surprises that could be both unexpected and dangerous.

With the heads of the Caribbean Community meeting next month, it is hoped that the leadership will finally agree on a suggestion which I have made, to establish a Caribbean Airlines Development Authority, where the main focus of this body will be to coordinate and even merge the efforts of all Caribbean based airlines, so that the critical price of airfares can be made affordable to the grass-roots level of the regions people. In addition, the leaders must agree on the need to provide an acceptable level of customer care which should be enshrined in some form of "Airline Travelers Rights." This will then become the yardstick to measure an airline's performance, and it would have the added advantage of helping to improve the organizations culture and focus.

Let us all work to keep our skies friendly and the Caribbean experience a great one.

The author is an educator and senior civil servant in Antigua & Barbuda