The Tobago House of Assembly’s Executive Council is renewing its call for additional flights for this upcoming Tobago Carnival period.
The plea was made during a press conference on Thursday.
Tobago House of Assembly Secretary with temporary responsibility for Tourism and Antiquities, Zorisha Hackett, said the Assembly has done all in its power to advocate for additional flights on the air bridge for this year’s Tobago Carnival period. She renewed her call during Thursday’s press briefing.
“We have not been able to make significant gains over the last two or so weeks. The conversations continue, but you must appreciate that there are some challenges right now administratively with Caribbean Airlines that are further compounding the issues we now face, and so we have been doing everything we can from this level. The letters have been written, the voices have been raised, conversations have been had, and right now we are hoping that this thing happens in the way it should.”
Ms. Hackett said the Port Authority has reached its capacity in the additional sailings put on for the season, so the THA is depending on Caribbean Airlines.
“I think that at this point we need the assistance anytime now. It should have happened before but we are still very hopeful that today, tomorrow, because the influx happens over the weekend, and then we have some greater arrival needs coming in from Wednesday more or less where for sure you are a masquerader you are heading to island because it is that time where the distribution process occurs through our bands.”
Secretary Hackett also lamented that artists are also facing issues getting to Tobago for various events.
“The artists that need to perform at our event are also challenged by the lack of flights to get to the island, and I think that at this point we’ve done everything we can do and we are just hoping and praying for Caribbean Airlines to really answer the pleas and cries of us, as Tobagonians, as an Executive Council that we need these flights.”
Ms. Hackett said the THA is also willing to have discussions about chartered flights to address the issue.