Caribbean Airlines is cutting several regional routes after recording more than TT$128 million in losses linked to its 2023 Eastern Caribbean expansion.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Eli Zakour, said the affected routes were introduced as part of an effort to strengthen regional connectivity, tourism and trade. However, he said the commercial projections used to support the expansion did not match actual market conditions.
According to Zakour, the airline’s current board established a route oversight committee in 2025 to review route performance, profitability and strategic alignment. That review found that several routes launched under the expansion programme had generated sustained financial losses since their introduction.
Caribbean Airlines has already discontinued its Jamaica to Fort Lauderdale route, which ended on November 2, 2025, after losses of US$7.2 million. The Trinidad to Puerto Rico service was also ended on January 10, 2026, after losses of US$4.92 million.
Additional changes are scheduled to take effect from June 1, 2026. These include withdrawal from the Dominica market, which recorded losses of US$730,000, and the St Kitts market, which recorded losses of US$1.65 million as of April 2026.
The airline will also discontinue its non-stop Guyana to Suriname service, which recorded losses of US$1.24 million.
Flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe will be reduced from four weekly services to two weekly services. The Martinique route recorded losses of US$1.23 million, while the Guadeloupe route recorded losses of US$1.86 million.
Zakour said the combined losses on the affected routes amounted to US$18.84 million as of April 2026. He said the route cuts and service adjustments are expected to help convert those losses into operational savings and improve the airline’s financial stability.
Passengers with bookings beyond the discontinuation dates are expected to be contacted directly by Caribbean Airlines or through their travel agents. Affected passengers may be offered alternative travel arrangements where possible, full refunds for unused tickets, or future travel credits subject to conditions.
Zakour also said Caribbean Airlines is working to finalise a codeshare agreement with a regional airline partner to give customers wider network access through coordinated schedules and integrated ticketing.
The airline is expected to continue focusing on operational reliability, customer service, fleet modernisation and route planning based on clear financial criteria.
Sources
- Barbados Today: CAL cuts routes after $128m losses