Caribbean Star Airline to stay on dismal Tobago route Tobago Express, June 7, 2002 Tobago has been described as one of the most unsuccessful routes in the rapidly growing network of the Barbados based regional air carrier Caribbean Star Airlines. Chief Executive Officer of Caribbean Star Paul Moreira, pointed this out at a press conference held to announce a strategic partnership alliance with US Airways, reputed to be an airline giant on the eastern seaboard of America, at the Le Grand Courlan Hotel last Tuesday. He however gave the assurance that despite the dismal performance of the Tobago route in the six months of service to the island, the airline would not abandon the market. "Tobago has been running on an average of 20 per cent load factor but while most carriers in the past have started and have left, we are committed to the product of your island and we would not leave," insisted Moreira. Caribbean Star, according to Moreira, which began its air services within the regional market just over eighteen months ago, has been able to increase its market share from a low 10 to 15 per cent to between 45 and 70 per cent, to 14 destinations in the region. "We have seen phenomenal growth of approximately 200 per cent in the number of passengers that we carry," he revealed. Moreira attributed this tremendous growth, which he said was achieved in very short order, to the service levels and pricing strategies of the airline. "We have seen some great, great growth in terms of the local traffic in stimulating business to the wonderful events that we have throughout the region," he said. Moreira stated that it was the goal of the airline to unite the Caribbean. "When we talk about uniting the Caribbean and the free movement of people and goods throughout the region, the key is to have an affordable, reliable and accessible air transportation throughout our region. For the fourteen island destinations, this is just one step in a five-year vision," he disclosed. The next step, in our strategy, is to develop alliances with strong, high quality US carriers. Moreira identified US Airways as its first partner in developing a relationship to bring more wealth into the Caribbean. "There are new markets from a tourism perspective that we can tap into now," he declared. "Imagine the power now of tapping into that frequent flier programme of US Airways and having all those individuals now with an access to Tobago, where they can redeem their points by coming to the island and then they could go and tell ten other friends about their wonderful experiences here," he argued. Moreira expressed optimism about the alliance between US Airways and Caribbean Star in turning the performance of the Tobago route around. "We had some very fruitful discussions with the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and the Hotel Association today and they have been very supportive to the vision of the opportunities to stimulate business and to develop more partnerships with governments and the private sector," he remarked. "There are opportunities, if we forge the right partnerships to stimulate some business both inter regionally and from the key international markets," added Moreira. The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site: Roj (Roger James) *************************************************** escape email mailto:ejames@escape.ca Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com CBSC Website http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeansocabrassconnection/ The Trinbago Site of the Week: (Robbie Greenidge) http://www.steeldrumband.net/greenidge/ (Robert Greenidge - Pan Arranger/Composer/Player) courtesy of Roj Trinbago Website & TnT Web Directory Roj's Trinbago Website: http://www.tntisland.com TnT Web Directory: http://search.co.tt *********************************************************