PORT-OF-SPAIN (Trinidad Express):
TRINIDAD AND Tobago's Government is contemplating ultimately taking itself out of the BWIA equation entirely and
having the cash-strapped airline run as a private sector entity.
This was revealed by the vice-chairman of the People's National Movement John Donaldson at a press conference at Balisier House, Port-of-Spain, on Sunday.
Donaldson and Prime Minister Patrick Manning told the General Council that discussions were ongoing with respect to national airline BWIA.
INTENDED TO RESTRUCTURE
Government had stated earlier that it had intended to restructure and revamp the airline and a committee headed by business man Arthur Lok Jack was to submit a report on how this was to be done.
In his national budget presentation last year, Prime Minister Patrick Manning had said that BWIA would be restructured and millions of dollars would be pumped through Government taking an equity stake.
Public Administration Minister Dr. Lenny Saith had said that Government was committed to making BWIA a priority and the responsibilty of implementing the new business plan would be placed in the hands of Peter Davies, BWIA's chief executive officer.
However, discussions are still ongoing and the future of BWIA is still uncertain.
