CARRIBEAN: Caribbean Airlines To Stop Flying To London In Three Months

After weeks of speculation it has been confirmed that Caribbean Airlines (CAL) is dumping its London, Gatwick service. The last flight will be January 10 next year – three months earlier than industry insiders had indicated.

This comes with the airline pulling its Boeing 767 fleet, which serviced London, because of the high costs associated with operating the planes.

“This has not been an easy decision, since the airline’s customers have loyally supported the London service especially in the peak periods,” the Trinidad-based carrier said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, the costs associated with maintaining the Boeing 767 aircraft operation, has led Caribbean Airlines to the decision of simplifying its fleet and focusing its limited resources to build connectivity in the North American and Caribbean markets.”

CAL said it took the decision after conducting a detailed review of its network, taking the current competitive environment into consideration.

The announcement was confirmation of reports that surfaced in early August that CAL’s three weekly flights to London Gatwick which began in June 2012 would cease at the end of March next year, and the airline would return its leased Boeing 737 planes to the International Lease Finance Corporation.

Industry insiders had said that the long-haul route was performing below expectations and CAL wouldd cut it to reduce operational costs and allow the carrier to focus on its viable North American routes.

At the time, CAL said it was reviewing its network profitability, but neither confirmed nor denied reports that it would stop flying the Port of Spain-London route.

CAL says it will assist customers in finding alternative travel arrangements to/from London, and a dedicated unit at its call centres will assist affected customers with their travel needs.

Those who were booked for departure and return after January 10, 2016 have the option of getting a full refund or being reallocated to other services; while those who were scheduled to commence travel before that date will either get a full refund or be refunded for the return leg of their trip.

CAL said customers can discuss other options by contacting its call centres.