Subsidy for Caribbean Star unfair - Duprey T'dad Guardian 12.17.02 Any State subsidy given to Antigua-based Caribbean Star Airlines would be unfair to Trinidad and Tobago said BWIA chairman Lawrence Duprey yesterday. Last Thursday, the Guardian exclusively reported Caribbean Star wants a State subsidy for the reduced $200 fare on the Tobago airbridge scheduled to take effect on New Year's Day. Paul Moreira, Caribbean Star CEO said it would only be fair for all the airlines servicing the Tobago airbridge to receive subsidies. "I don't think that's fair. That's exporting capital," said Duprey when asked about Caribbean Star's claims. He was interviewed at the Hilton Trinidad after a Methanol Holdings Trinidad Limited ceremony. Government has said BWIA and Tobago Express, in which BWIA owns shares, will receive a $6 million annual subsidy for the reduced airfare. Caribbean Star, which began servicing the airbridge in October, and Liat are not receiving any state subsidy. A Memorandum of Understanding, stipulating the details of any subsidies to provided by the State for the reduced airfare, is yet to be finalised said airline officials last week. The Government has made no announcement on whether it intends to change its present position and offer subsidies to Caribbean Star or Liat. 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 *********************************************************