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Air Caribbean (Trinidad and Tobago)

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Air Caribbean Limited
IATA ICAO Call sign
C2 CBB IBIS
Founded1993
Commenced operations1993
Ceased operations23 October 2000
HubsPiarco International Airport
Fleet size8
Destinations5
HeadquartersPort of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Key peopleLeslie Lucky-Samaroo (chairman)

Air Caribbean was a Trinidadian airline operating between 1993 and 2000.

History

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The airline was based at Piarco International Airport and used YS-11 aircraft for the first five years. In March 1998 the airline purchased a Boeing 737-200 Advanced and announced Miami as a new destination.[1] This aircraft had fuel-thirsty and noisy JT8D engines, and were a financial burden to the airline. The plane was too noisy for American noise regulations, delaying the Miami plans. Until mid-1999 the airline purcheased two more 737-200s and announced further plans to fly to Caracas, New York, Orlando and Toronto. The problems with the US Department of Transport didn't stop; one of the 737s was so old that a hush kit couldn't be fitted. As a consequence, the planes had to be grounded whilst the hush-kits were fitted to the suitable aircraft.

In early 2000, Air Caribbean offered slashed air fares to Miami, in order to compete with BWIA and American Airlines. This was a financial disaster, as passengers chose to fly with competing airlines who offered modern aircraft.[citation needed] On October 23, 2000, Air Caribbean was closed down, with massive debts. The 737s have since been scrapped in America,[citation needed] and one YS-11 is still at Piarco International Airport, in an abandoned state.

Destinations

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Fleet

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Air Caribbean YS-11 in 1999

The Airline operated a fleet of six NAMC YS-11's and two Boeing 737-200 aircraft.

Air Caribbean Fleet
Aircraft Total Passengers Haul
YS-11 6 64 Short Haul
Boeing 737-200 3 136 Short-Medium Haul

References

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  1. ^ "Air Caribbean plans long-haul services". FlightGlobal.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  2. ^ a b c "Timetable on 1997 Timetable Images
  3. ^ a b "Timetable on 1995 Timetable Images
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