REDjet Caribbean Ltd., operating as REDjet (Airone Caribbean/Airone Ventures Limited), was a startup low-cost carrier based at the Grantley Adams International Airport in Christ Church, Barbados,[2] near Bridgetown.[3] The privately owned airline, incorporated in Barbados, featured a fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft.

REDjet
IATAICAOCallsign
RDRDJREDJET
Founded2010
Commenced operationsMay 10, 2011
Ceased operationsJune 8, 2012
HubsGrantley Adams International Airport
Fleet size3
Destinations6
Parent companyAirone Ventures Limited
HeadquartersGrantley Adams International Airport
Christ Church, Barbados[1]
Key peopleIan Burns (Founder and CEO)
Websitewww.flyredjet.com

History

The idea of starting REDjet first came about in 2006, when airlines in the Caribbean often charged high fares for flights, and the company decided to start a low-cost airline to serve the region.[4]

Initially, the airline sought to start operations from Norman Manley International Airport, in Kingston, Jamaica. However, the airline shifted its hub to Barbados after being denied permission to set up in Jamaica by the Jamaican Government.[5] Since that time, REDjet's CEO has announced that he would again be seeking to have a larger airline company based in Jamaica.[6]

In 2010, a private sector envoy announced an intention to base a start-up airline at the Grantley Adams International Airport.[7] The name of the parent company is AIRONE Holdings Limited (AVL),[8] and the air venture will seek to form "the Caribbean's first low-cost carrier".[9] The envoy had initially attempted to begin operations from Jamaica[10] however, Jamaican aviation authorities reportedly rejected their application for licenses. Following this, the envoy shifted focus basing operations from Barbados. On October 16, 2010, Airone Holdings Ltd. launched their airline brand REDjet, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre. On December 10, the airline's first (of two) introductory McDonnell Douglas MD-82 aircraft named 'Jacqualicious' after an employee, was delivered to REDjet. On February 1, 2011, REDjet's second aircraft 'Hey Jude' was delivered to REDjet at the Grantley Adams International Airport. On the same day Business Development Manager, Robbie Burns, announced that the airline was itching to start selling tickets and get into the air, stating that the airline had already invested over 1 million USD into crew and staff hiring and training. REDjet has also concluded the purchase of their third aircraft to be delivered in late November early December. The airline has named the aircraft "Nickitastic".

On April 12, 2011, the FAA announced that Barbados failed to meet regulation standards which would prevent Barbados-based airlines (including REDjet) from flying to the US.[11] The airline began marketing tickets on April 13, 2011[12] and operations commenced on May 10, 2011

On July 18, 2011, REDjet commences service between Barbados and Trinidad. Jamaica swiftly followed Trinidad and Tobago in granting clearance to the Barbados-based low-cost carrier. Operations began in October 2011. [citation needed]

On July 27, 2011, REDjet confirmed its plans to expand its operations to other Caribbean destinations in light of an announcement that the airline had gained approval to land in St Kitts (St.Christopher) and Nevis by its Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas. [citation needed]

On August 5, 2011, REDjet was scheduled to begin flights into St Lucia as early as October 2011 by St. Lucian Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Senator Allen Chastanet. After considerable delays, final government approval was awarded by the Barbados government in November 2011. Flights to St. Lucia commence on December 17, 2011. [citation needed]

On August 9, 2011, REDjet, announced it was expanding its service to Antigua and began selling tickets for flights between Trinidad and Guyana, just days after securing licences under the terms of a bilateral 'open-skies' air services agreement. The Antiguan authorities have granted REDjet permission to begin flights to St John’s. The airline plans to inaugurate a direct Antigua-Guyana route by late November. [citation needed]

On March 16, 2012, REDjet suspended all flights at 23:59 after coming into financial difficulties. The collapse of the airline was announced over social networking by the airline's CEO.[13] It hoped to receive government subsidies to restart the service.[13] On June 8, 2012, REDjet announced its closure.[14]

Destinations

REDjet served the following scheduled destinations :

CountryCityAirportStart dateRefs
 Antigua and BarbudaSt. John'sV. C. Bird International AirportNovember 22, 2011
 BarbadosBridgetownGrantley Adams International AirportHub
 GuyanaGeorgetown, GuyanaCheddi Jagan International AirportMay 10, 2011[15]
 JamaicaKingstonNorman Manley International AirportNovember 20, 2011
 Saint LuciaVieux FortHewanorra International AirportDecember 16, 2011
 Trinidad and TobagoPort of SpainPiarco International AirportJuly 28, 2011[16]

Fleet

A REDjet McDonnell Douglas MD-82 parked at Juan Santamaría International Airport in 2012

The fleet of REDjet consisted of the following aircraft:[17]

REDjet fleet
AircraftIn
service
OrdersPassengersNotes
McDonnell Douglas MD-822149
McDonnell Douglas MD-831149
Total3

See also

References