St Lucia, St Vincent dispute

The government in St. Vincent has responded to a threat from St Lucian Tourism Minister Allen Chastanet to pull the plug on two Vincentian carriers.



Chastanet has warned that action will be taken by the government in Castries if the authorities in Kingstown refuse to give permission for St Lucian-registered Caricom Airlines to fly to St Vincent and the Grenadines.



Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves in a statement yesterday explained that there were outstanding issues being looked at.



He also said the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority had confirmed that Caricom Airways was not in possession of an air operating certificate, and that St. Vincent’s review of the company's application had shown there was inadequacy of insurance coverage.



According to Dr. Gonsalves Caricom Airways is at the moment operating illegally.