No plans to remove subsidy to airbridge

PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-­Bissessar has said there is no consideration for the removal of subsidy to the ­domestic airbridge.

She clarified that as it stands now, the current price of $400 return remains applicable. “There is no consideration for the removal of the subsidised flights. The subsidised flights are necessary, especially for Tobago citizens to visit Trinidad to do Government and private-sector business that they can’t access on the island,” Persad-Bissessar told the Express yesterday.

She was responding to comments by Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism Satyakama Maharaj, who told the Express Thursday the Government is considering the addition of two daily unsubsidised flights on the domestic airbridge to accommodate short-notice ­travel between the islands. Maharaj, however, said subsidised flights will continue, with no plans to eliminate them, noting the $400 airfare ­remains in place.