Caribbean Beat — January/February 2017 (#143)

CARIBBEAN AIRLINES AT 10
A decade
of warmth
in the skies
In January 2017, Caribbean Airlines marks
its tenth anniversary — a milestone for the
airline’s dedicated staff and passengers.
Erline Andrews finds out what’s in store
for the year ahead, and meets some
of the people who help make CAL the
Caribbean’s favourite airline
Caribbean Airlines literally took off at 12.15 am on
1 January, 2007, with a flight from Piarco International
Airport in Trinidad to Johann Pengel International
Airport in Suriname. And as the company
marks its tenth anniversary, it has reason to
celebrate.
A fleet of five aircraft that made approximately 128 flights per
week to ten destinations has grown to seventeen planes making
more than six hundred flights per week to eighteen destinations
in the Caribbean and North America. Last year, CAL was dubbed
“the Caribbean’s Leading Airline” for the sixth consecutive year
at the 23rd Annual World Travel Awards. The airline also offers
the most flights and seats from the Caribbean into south Florida.
And through sponsorships and employee volunteer efforts,
CAL has woven itself into the social fabric of the region. It
sponsors Trinidad and Tobago’s Invaders Steel Orchestra,
the oldest steelband in the world, and provides air transport
and cargo support for the Organisation for Social Health
Advancement for Guyana, a group of doctors from the United
States travelling to the region to provide health care.
Caribbean Airlines is building on the gains of the last decade,
says Dionne Ligoure, head of corporate communications. The
company is now working on a five-year strategic plan. It has
upgraded its reservations, check-in, ticketing, and e-commerce
services, and will add new regional destinations in 2017. It also has
a new mission statement: “Connecting people, realising dreams.”
“This has been a very interesting time at Caribbean Airlines,”
says Ligoure. “Our focus more than ever is really on delivering a
more enriching and value-added experience for our customers.”
The company will mark the anniversary in various ways
throughout 2017, starting with an interfaith service in the first
week of January at the head office in Piarco. The event will be
accompanied — appropriately — by a fly-pass. Also, a special
tenth anniversary logo — including the hummingbird from
the current logo — will go on planes and promotional items.
(You can see it on the cover of this issue of Caribbean Beat, for
instance.) All customers flying on 1 January, 2017, will receive a
coupon for a discount on a future flight. And Ligoure promises
other surprises are in store for passengers throughout the year.
The company also plans to honour citizens who have
contributed to the development of the region. Caribbean Airlines
wants to send the message that people are its priority, says
Ligoure. “2017 is a special year for Caribbean Airlines,” she adds.
“The journey to this point was really only possible through the
commitment of our employees and the loyalty of our customers.”
20 WWW.CARIBBEAN-BEAT.COM