After eight years on the helm, Garvin Medera has stepped down as chief govt officer of Caribbean Airways Ltd (CAL), making him the longest-serving CEO within the provider’s historical past.
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In line with Trinidad Categorical, Medera’s resignation comes months after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar issued an ultimatum to the airline’s administration, warning them to “type out the mess” inside two years or face substitute. Sources stated Medera, who’s at present on trip forward of his departure, is in discussions with personal sector organisations about doable new roles. He beforehand served as CEO of Digicel Play.
His exit is the most recent in a string of management adjustments at State enterprises following the United Nationwide Congress’s common election victory on April 28, which prompted the resignation of the previous CAL board. Reyna Kowlessar was appointed board chairman on June 24 for a two-year time period, changing Shameer “Ronnie” Mohammed, who stepped down after the polls.
Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo, the road minister for CAL, stated he had not been formally knowledgeable of Medera’s resignation. In a WhatsApp message, he remarked: “Frankly I don’t suppose it’s the apply for individuals resigning from jobs they held, to advise me. However I be aware your confidence that I’m intimately conversant in Mr Medera’s or anybody else’s actions.”
The resignation comes at a time when Caribbean Airways is dealing with heightened scrutiny. Throughout a Monday Night time Report in August, Persad-Bissessar described CAL as “a corrupt mess,” pointing to unprofitable routes and years of unaudited monetary statements regardless of a finance division of 86 workers. She additionally famous that greater than $60 million had been spent hiring Ernst & Younger and PricewaterhouseCoopers to conduct audits.
CAL has struggled financially in recent times. In 2021, the airline reported unaudited working losses of US$48 million for the primary half of the yr, following related losses in 2020 amid a pointy decline in passenger site visitors as a result of Covid-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, by 2023 the airline recorded a US$24.7 million working revenue, adopted by US$12.1 million in 2024 (excluding debt service), with revenues climbing to US$444.6 million final yr.
Regardless of the turnaround, cost-cutting measures stay. CAL introduced it is going to discontinue companies between Kingston and Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, efficient November 2, 2025, as a part of its community optimisation programme. The provider additionally cancelled its annual profession expo, initially slated for November, citing operational causes.
Management reshuffles have additionally intensified in current weeks. Final week, govt supervisor of finance Kern Gardiner was dismissed simply earlier than finishing his probationary interval. Chief monetary officer Varuna Kuarsingh was positioned on depart till October 10, with Neera Ramai-Williams appointed as performing CFO.
