Caribbean Star Airlines is to launch an extensive West Indies network with five Bombardier Dash 8 turboprops. Many predict the move could spell the end of its rival, LIAT.
The privately owned airline is backed by Texan businessman Allen Stanford and headed by Gilles Filiatreault, previously chief executive of Trinidad-based BWIA West Indies Airways.
The airline claims it will have a fleet of three Dash 8-100s and two -300s by 15 May, all on long-term leases from Bombardier.
Filiatreault says: "We're hiring our own crew and staff and hope to start the services soon." An air operator's certificate is being reviewed by the Antigua Government.
The carrier initially plans to serve 12 islands between San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the north and Trinidad to the south. Star is now seeking regional and international partners.
The airline has had some contact with the Caribbean's other new start-up, St Lucia-based Eastern Caribbean Express, which is backed by Air Jamaica (Flight International, 28 March-3 April).
The carrier is also eyeing possible co-operation with BWIA, which has seen its efforts to form a regional alliance with LIAT undermined by the Antigua-based carrier's continued financial instability. "We made it known to people close to BWIA that we want to talk but there are a lot of other carriers out there apart from BWIA," says Filiatreault.
Meanwhile, the task of rescuing LIAT has been passed to Gary Collins, who has been appointed to replace the airline's acting chief executive, Osmond Lake.
The semi-state-owned airline has so far failed to implement any of the major rationalisation which was recommended by UK consultancy Speedwing last year.
Source: Flight International
