REDjet on track to fly in Guyana

Apr 30, 2011 News

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REDjet, the Caribbean’s Low Fares Airline, is assuring customers that all systems are “go” for the start of scheduled flights to and from Guyana.
The airline is assuring passengers that problems with its application in Trinidad do not affect its Guyana service in any way.
REDjet’s maiden flight from Guyana to Barbados is scheduled to take place on May 10 and Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Ian Burns, is confident that passengers will be thrilled by the new service to and from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
“REDjet staff and crew have worked long and hard to ensure that the people of Guyana will have a safe, reliable and affordable service and we look forward to welcoming everyone on board”.
Business Development Director, Robbie Burns added: “May 10, will be an exciting day for REDjet and the response in Guyana has been huge.  Guyana has been the victim of some of the most exorbitant flight prices into and out of the country and I am happy to be bringing lower fares to Guyana that will allow more people to have access to fly and with greater frequency.”
REDjet’s application to fly to and from Trinidad is still being processed and has promised to keep customers fully abreast of the latest developments and are encouraging customers to visit the company’s website for updates.
REDjet will be opening its credit card and cash payment channels and customers will be able to pay by credit card online or via its call centre, and by cash at one of 300 bill payment locations.
REDjet will be opening these facilities in Jamaica, Barbados and Guyana over the coming days.
The airline said it will keep working to secure additional routes as part of the rollout.
“We are committed to all of our passengers to deliver lower fares and a safe and reliable service. Our response to competitors wishing to keep Low Fares out of the market will always be the same; we won’t stop working until everyone can fly.”
REDjet is offering one-way flights from as low as US9.99 plus taxes.
REDjet will initially fly four times a week from Guyana to Barbados, but the intention is to move to daily flights when other destinations are added.
The airline has two MD-82 jet aircraft which are powered by two JT8D-217A engines. The airline intends to open across the region as it develops destinations across the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States. REDjet has hired 17 pilots to command the aircraft.
Regarding fares, 15 per cent of the seats on the 146-seater aircraft the company has acquired will be for US$9.99 with taxes, so booking early would be necessary to get the lowest fare. Once 15% of the seats are bought up, prices will go up incrementally by US$10.
The average fare across routes is estimated at US$59 and could move to over US$99 if one books in the last week or two or if demand is strong and the lowest fares are sold out.
The cost is just for the seat. Since the airline will offer an opt-in service, commuters will pay for what they choose (including baggage and meals) and that will determine the final price of the ticket.
Overall, the airline estimates it will bring down the cost of airfare to travel by as much as 60 percent.
REDjet will allow passengers one carry-on bag and a handbag or laptop case, both weighing up to 10 kilograms each as long as they fit in standard baggage sizers. If you want to check a bag, the fee starts at $10 for the first bag and between US$30 and US$60 for the second bag.
Passengers would be able to, if they wish, purchase optional extras to tailor their flight to their own requirements.
Passengers would be able to book Travel Insurance, SMS ticket confirmation, food and drinks in-flight on the Sky Café and Bar, and Priority Boarding for those who want to skip queues and select their seat first on board.
The company is privately owned and incorporated in St Lucia. Its corporate offices are situated in the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados.
REDjet was founded in 2006 by Ian, and his son Robbie Burns. Robbie Burns, working in the region at the time, was amazed by the cost of flights within the region and on routes to the US and Latin America. He found that there was a large disparity in the market as Caribbean carriers were losing substantial sums year after year while the US carriers flying into the region were reporting the Caribbean to be their most profitable market.
Working with Ian, the father and son team built REDjet in conjunction with investors and expert management with a simple vision to develop the first Caribbean Low Fares Airline and bring the substantial economic and social benefits of Low Cost Travel experienced from Africa to Brazil and Fiji to France to the Caribbean.

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