With several new routes added to its schedule, Caribbean Airlines (CAL) says it will have to decide whether any of the 280 employees who were retrenched in 2021 will be rehired.
Responding to questions from Guardian Media yesterday, CAL’s corporate communication manager, Dionne Ligoure, said the airline managed to save some jobs after their almost TT$173 million loss in 2021.
About ten months ago, the company announced it would retrench 450 workers after it took a huge loss during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But Ligoure yesterday said not all the employees set to be retrenched were sent home.
“In 2021, following extensive consultations/discussions with employees and employee representatives in the various locations that Caribbean (Airline) operates, 280 employees were separated from the company, significantly fewer than previously estimated, as part of the company’s restructuring exercise,” Ligoure said.
Asked if the company would consider rehiring any of those 280 employees, Ligoure said the airline would take a ‘wait and see’ approach.
“Caribbean Airlines will continue to review its operational and hiring needs and make adjustments as required,” she said.
Ligoure said 2022 was a year of recovery for the airline, saying CAL has committed to “resetting the expectations” of its customers.
“A major element of the “Reset Expectations” campaign revolves around our fleet renewal and service enhancements,” she said.
She said the airline’s new 737-8 aircraft offers more benefits for customers and the environment, as CAL was trying to find ways to add value to the travel experience.
She said the airline has launched the Caribbean Layaway plan, which customers can use to reserve flights by making a downpayment of 25 per cent of their fare and paying off the rest in two to 12 months. The plan includes travel to all destinations, except on the domestic airbridge (between Trinidad and Tobago.)
“Opening a layaway plan is simple and can be completed in a few short steps. This product is available at all City Ticket Offices in our network and through the Reservations Sales and Customer Support Call Centre,” she said.
Ligoure said the airline’s preorder meal service has also been well received, as she announced plans for another onboard service.
“In the coming months, we will also reintroduce Caribbean Café, our onboard snack cart filled with goodies from across the region. Our Reset Expectations campaign signals a deliberate and conscious action to ensure that it’s not business as usual at Caribbean Airlines,” she said.