Caribbean Airlines To End Flights To London

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad CMC – The state-owned Caribbean Airlines (CAL) says it will discontinue its services to London’s Gatwick Airport, effective January 10, next year.

“This has not been an easy decision, since the airline’s customers have loyally supported the London service, especially in the peak periods.

“Unfortunately, the costs associated with maintaining the Boeing 767 aircraft operation, has led Caribbean Airlines to the decision of simplifying its fleet and focusing its limited resources, to build connectivity in the North American and Caribbean markets,” CAL said in a statement.

It said, that it had conducted “a detailed review of its network, consistent with the current competitive environment” before taking the “difficult decision to withdraw the Boeing 767 fleet from its operations”.

CAL said, that it would assist customers to find alternative travel arrangements, to and from London, having communicated its plans to the other airlines serving this route.

It said, customers now have various options, including a full refund or re-allocation to other services, where possible.

The London service was launched in 2012, however the route performed below expectations, CAL said, adding that the Boeing 767-300s would be returned to the International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC).

The airline, which registered a loss of US$60 million last year, said it is taking measures to suspend loss-generating routes and optimise its fleet and, so far this year, returned two Boeing 737-800s, with two more to be removed soon, reducing the fleet size to just 12 of that model.

Since 2013, CAL has been competing with increased competition from low-budget airlines, such as Jet Blue, and increased flights by US mainline airlines.