Caribbean Star wants subsidies T'dad Guardian Caribbean Star, the Antigua-based carrier owned by Texan billionaire Allen= =20 Stanford, believes T&T taxpayers should subsidise the airline for any=20 reduction in the Tobago airbridge fare. Two-year old Caribbean Star began=20 operating the Tobago route in October. In an exclusive Guardian report=20 published two weeks ago, Trade and Industry Minister Ken Valley said the=20 State would provide BWIA and Tobago Express with $6 million in annual=20 subsidies for the reduced airfare. =93We believe that it (a subsidy) has to= =20 be equitable in all business sectors and if subsidies are provided to one=20 they should be provided to all in the same business. Regardless if they are= =20 government-owned or partly government =97 owned or not at all,=94 said Paul= =20 Moreira, Caribbean Star chief executive from Antigua. Government has said=20 the fare on the Tobago airbridge will be reduced from $300 to $200 on=20 January 1, 2003. That reduction would only apply to passengers who purchase their tickets=20 seven days in advance of their flights. Asked about Caribbean Star=92s position on the fare reduction, Moreira said,= =20 =93We have not been advised that the fare is going to be lowered to $200.=20 However, we support any fare that will stimulate business and is good for=20 Trinidad and Tobago.=94 Moreira said fair business practices would dictate= =20 all the airlines that operate the Tobago airbridge receive subsidies.=20 Presently, the route is serviced by BWIA, Tobago Express, Caribbean Star=20 and another Antigua-based airline Liat. =93We would be very every concerned= =20 if there was an uneven playing field for private sector investment,=94=20 Moreira said. The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site: Roj (Roger James) *************************************************** escape email mailto:ejames@escape.ca Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com CBC Website http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection/ The Trinbago Site of the Week: (TnT News) http://www.tntmirror.com/ (TnT News) courtesy of Roj Trinbago Website & TnT Web Directory Roj's Trinbago Website: http://www.tntisland.com TnT Web Directory: http://search.co.tt *********************************************************