Airport:---Responding to rumors and reports that the planned layoffs at Winair and the closure of three of its routes is a sign of the end for the company, Managing Director of Winair, Edwin Hodge, the company planned layoffs and restructuring as well as renegotiated terms and conditions with suppliers to reduce overall cost thus keeping the company viable Hodge dismissed the reports as unfounded and an attempt to instill fear and uncertainty about the airline adding that the airline's operation is still very solid.
"We at Winair like other companies believes that with growing challenges that efficiency and effectiveness is of paramount importance thus we have sought to offer our customers better service," he said.
Hodge noted that what is being seen is critical as various companies deal with upturns and downturns thus dismissing the view that his company is the only such company that has been scaling back on finances. "
Hodge pointed out that for some time the r destinations; St Kitts, Nevis and Tortola were border line, but due to reduction in travel the routes were not offering any financial viability, therefore the reason to cease operations to these destinations.
However, the Government of Nevis came forward to share the risk with Winair to ensure the long standing relationship between Nevis and Winair continues.
Looking at our cost structure and the Global economic climate the Winair Managing Director noted that the company had to cut certain routes whilst cutting cost by way of doing business differently, staff and other operational cost so as to make their airline viable. "We will continue to be an airline alive and competitive, but in restructuring and enhancing services certain decisions and changes has to be made if any real progress is going to be achieved," he said.
Hodge reiterated that the current global financial crisis has created effect on the company is seeking to reconsolidate on what they currently have in an effort to reduce overall cost whilst enhancing the overall service offered by the airline.
Hodge admitted that the routes that were closed were not producing optimally and now compounded by the global financial crisis forced his airline to end those routes. "While we have been a long serving service provider to St Kitts we had seen a significant drop in passenger travel over the past several months but we had kept the operation going with the view of arriving at an arrangement with the government so as to assist in cushioning the losses that we were experiencing," he noted.
When questioned about his layoffs, Hodge admitted that as part of the restructuring, he has to layoff some workers. When questioned about St. Kitts and Tortola Hodge also expressed the view that he had extensive negotiations with Tortola, however the negotiations did not yield any results that the airline will continue, however the negotiations did not yield the continuation of the route at this time, however there is a possibility to return to the table. As for St. Kitts no negotiations took place, however the doors are not closed on St Kitts.
"It is a possibility that the situation in St Kitts will be resolved, but cannot say at this time how long it will take. I am not sure.
Winair core business will St. Eustatius, Saba, St. Barths, Montserrat, Barbuda and Nevis,
Hodge added that what is being experienced within the world today will create its own challenges but I can assure the public that Winair has a solid and positive plan which they can take comfort in," he added.