Caricom’s air transport dilemma

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Express - THE CEREMONIAL opening of the 34th regular summit of the Caribbean Community takes place in Port of Spain this evening amid widening complaints across this region against deep frustration with two critically related issues—regional air transportation and hassle-free intra-regional movement for Caricom citizens. Both issues will surface on what has been described as a “heavy-loaded” agenda for the three scheduled working days, starting tomorrow, that include a special session at Chaguaramas, birth place of Caricom 40 years ago. Recently, a few heads of government and cabinet ministers, as well as the Community’s secretary general, Erwin LaRocque, have felt compelled to publicly express their own concerns about air transportation challenges, in particular rising costs for intra-regional travel.