by Linda Straker
- Maurice Bishop International Airport re-opens for regional low-risk countries on 15 July
- interCaribbean Airways will be servicing Grenada
- Aviation authorities in negotiation with St Vincent and the Grenadines based One Caribbean
Tourism Minister, Clarice Modeste, has confirmed that the Turks and Caicos based interCaribbean Airways is one of 3 commercial airlines that will be servicing Grenada when the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) re-opens for regional low-risk countries on 15 July 2020.
“We have agreed. We have approved interCaribbean Airways which has a fleet of planes to provide its service to Grenada from different destinations in the region. Very shortly we will make a formal announcement.” Modeste disclosed that aviation authorities in Grenada are also in negotiation with St Vincent and the Grenadines based One Caribbean, while with Trinidad based Caribbean Airlines, it is just a matter of resuming its services.
Grenada’s lone international airport has been closed to commercial passenger traffic since late March after the island declared a state of emergency to control the spread of Covid-19. Since then, government has slowly phased into a state of normality with weekly opening of businesses.
Grenada has no Covid-19 cases since 24 May, and on 7 July government announced through a statement from the Government Information Service (GIS), that as of 15 July the airport will reopen for flights from low-risk Caribbean countries, while medium-risk arrivals will be from 1 August. “The reopening process takes into consideration the health risks possibly posed by passengers coming from different regions of the world. Countries will be categorised as Low, Medium or High-risk, for the purposes of entry requirements to Grenada.”
“From July 15th, 2020, the airport will accept commercial flights from countries across the Caribbean region viewed as Low-risk. From August 1st, the airport will accept international flights, from countries listed as Medium-risk, such as Canada, the United Kingdom and other countries in the European Union. Only chartered flights will be accommodated from all other countries not mentioned, until further notice.”
“Grenadian nationals and visitors wishing to charter a flight from any country, in the interim, must do so through a private entity. Government has accepted a proposal from Caribbean International Trade Inc., to manage all the logistics of this engagement, including the verification of the health and testing requirements, and quarantine accommodations.”
Founded by Lyndon Gardiner, interCaribbean Airways, the regional airline out of the Turks and Caicos Islands services mainly the northern Caribbean islands. For decades, the interCaribbean brand has been a major player in air travel, in markets such as the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bahamas, Dominica, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, Antigua, St Lucia, Turks and Caicos and Cuba.
The company is on the verge of expanding into new markets with the Eastern Caribbean as one of its focus. In a recent interview, company founder and chairman, Lyndon Gardiner said, “We are a regional carrier that has worked on our model of connecting the entire Caribbean for over 28 years. This is a unique opportunity that we will embrace to showcase that we are indeed a Pan-Caribbean airline.”
Commenting on being able to fill any potential void left by LIAT, Gardiner said that his company isn’t here to cripple, but to compete, and take advantages of the opportunities as they are presented. “As a Caribbean owned and grown entity, we will extend our services to the LIAT network cities, and do so with pride, to ensure the safe, economic and efficient movement of our peoples continue without Interruptions.”
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What I dont understand is how it is that they’re allowing domestic flight for Caribbean countries that still have lingering COVID cases.
There is still a risks there. Its unfair to have to quarantine persons traveling from the US or 14 days if theyve tested negative on several occasions and have underlying conditions to begin with….
As much as you all wish for the covid-19 to stay away from GND. So do I, but The folks that needs and must be back in their homes this should not be a problem to have them back. All the Government needs to do is qouranten the returning residents for the 14 days, and still give them restrictions after the 14 days to be mindful of the community safety… Grenada have enough of mother earth remedies to keep the residents of the island safe. All folks need to do is go back to the basics… Morher earth is telling us we are to ahead of ourselves… Every disease man creates. she have a cure for it. You must believe to receive..
I agree in that accord. Life goes on and people need their jobs and have expesnses. They’re not being very diplomatic.
For the Grenadian citizens stranded in other countries, especially the students. It would be wise for the Government of Grenada to make arrangements with an airline to these passengers home. Organize for the passengers to meet at a central location, where they will be directed to the arranged flight. Let it be done in search a way that it won’t pose a risk of carrying the virus back to our island. This also calls for the private sector to lend a hand. The country don’t have to bear all of the cost.
Sorry Kellee,
As much as we the people of Grenada understand your distress and frustration and we sympathize with your plight. Honest we do. But you cannot expect our government to put your wishes and rights over the people of Grenad’s health and safety? We wish to keep the risks of COVID 19 entering Grenada to Zero and we understand that US is one of the high risk countries with this disease. The government of Grenada is right to implement these ruling.. After all it has its population to protect.. In general those who complain most are those who are often in better financial positions to be able to leave the country in the first place.
We regret your situation but we are at present safer without you in the country.
Best regards
Princess.
We are suppose to fly into Grenada Oct 6,2020
from Florida
Is it even realistic to think that will happen??
Any factual information would be helpful
Thank you !!
Virgin Atlantic has cancelled our flights now on two occasions. Does anyone know when the flights will resume from Grenada?
So we Grenadians that are stuck in the US are no outcasts because of Covid? It’s our legal right to enter our country of birth. Our fundamental human and nationalistic rights are being violated.
Especially now with students studying in the US being forced out due to universities transitioning to online classes what r they suppose to do.
Does the PM and his team know how costly and difficult it is to get onto a flight from New York if you’re in another state and more so if travelling with children.
While I understand that Covid spread needs to be managed, we have to face the reality that it’s not going anywhere anytime soon and we will have to live with it; and so Grenadians in the US need to be allowed to come home; following the quarantine protocols as prescribed.
Heard that story before…. The modern witch doctors keep kicking the can down the road on reopening International travel even after it’s been shown that the risk death is lower than the seasonal flu. Sooner or later they are determined that you will be tested, vaxxed, chipped and tracked like cattle.
Any word on British Aiways resuming flights from the UK?