Sadly after months of battling to stay open, Sky Bahamas Airline has officially closed it's doors. Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) formally confirmed its decision to deny renewal of the permit that allows them to carry fare-paying passengers.
An insensitive video circulated on social media showing the company's sign being taken down and tossed into a garbage bin. Which seems to be the action of an eviction.
The airline had about 63 employees who had to enter survival mode, when the key permit needed to operate was being reviewed. This caused a halt in flights and all aircrafts were grounded due to the wait process. Mr. Butler described the impact of the BCAA's actions as "heartbreaking" for Sky Bahamas' employees; who had all "gone home", as well as creditors, vendors and partners who were either owed monies or relied upon the airline's continued operations.
Revealing that he had spent $200,000 of his own monies to "pay bills" and reimburse Sky Bahamas employees, Captain Butler said the airline's enforced shutdown had cost "hundreds of thousands of dollars" as well as endangering his own personal reputation.
Captain Randy Butler, Sky Bahamas' Chief Executive, recently stated that the private, Bahamian-owned carrier has incurred a cost of "$4.2 million and counting".
Sky Bahamas was told by the Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority, the industry regulator, to “discontinue” commercial passenger services from July 8, 2019. The airline needed an Air Operator Certificate (AOC), the approval required for an airline to carry fare-paying passengers, which had expired on June 29, 2019.
Captain Butler said normal protocol was for the previous license to remain in effect until the new one was granted, provided it was not “suspended, revoked or terminated”.
However; he was called to a meeting on July 9 at The Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority and stated that the regulator “came up with some ridiculous findings” in relation to a recent safety inspection conducted on the airline.
We certainly wish Captain Butler the best! He stated that he refuses "to lay down and play dead" as he is beginning the appeals process in a bid to overturn the regulator's decision.
Captain Randy Butler, Sky Bahamas' Chief Executive, recently stated that the private, Bahamian-owned carrier has incurred a cost of "$4.2 million and counting".
Sky Bahamas was told by the Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority, the industry regulator, to “discontinue” commercial passenger services from July 8, 2019. The airline needed an Air Operator Certificate (AOC), the approval required for an airline to carry fare-paying passengers, which had expired on June 29, 2019.
Captain Butler said normal protocol was for the previous license to remain in effect until the new one was granted, provided it was not “suspended, revoked or terminated”.
However; he was called to a meeting on July 9 at The Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority and stated that the regulator “came up with some ridiculous findings” in relation to a recent safety inspection conducted on the airline.
We certainly wish Captain Butler the best! He stated that he refuses "to lay down and play dead" as he is beginning the appeals process in a bid to overturn the regulator's decision.
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