On Friday afternoon, I received an email from my Toronto-based brother,
a travel agent, explaining that a new charter airline, Sunwing would be
commencing operations into Grenada on the following day. He asked that
I go to the airport to cover the arrival of the flight, and find out
whether there would be the traditional welcome by local authorities.
I spoke with a colleague of mine and learned that he hadn’t received
any invitation to a welcoming ceremony. This was somewhat baffling
since there is usually quite a brou-ha-ha whenever a new carrier begins
operations into Grenada. Nevertheless, with only an hour’s sleep, I
arrived at the Maurice Bishop International Airport at 05:30am for a
05:50am arrival.
While standing on the ramp at about 05:45, I noticed the aircraft
orbiting the airfield and my curiosity was aroused. As were the
curiosities of a number of customs and immigration officers and
handlers as we stood on the ramp and watched. Why the delay in landing,
I thought! I was later told by not one, but two passengers who came
off the flight that they were informed by the flight deck that the
runway was not ready, and that some cleaning was still being done.
When I contacted the control tower later in the morning to obtain a
verification or denial of those reports, they were obviously denied.
Not knowing that I was a pilot at one time, the controller attempted to
sell me two stories which, when analyzed, made absolutely no sense.
According to him, the aircraft arrived overhead the airport at 10,000
feet at 05:30am which is the time when airport operations commence.
Yet, it never landed until 05:53am. Now, unless we’re talking about a
hot air balloon here, I can’t see a 737-800 aircraft taking 23 minutes
to descend to the surface from 10,000 feet. Ludicrous!!!!
Secondly, said he, the aircraft was in the process of doing a VOR/DME
approach. Being familiar with the approach, I humbly suggest to that
controller that he take another look at the approach plate and he
should note that after flying the outbound leg, the only time a pilot
would overfly the runway again in an easterly direction is if he was
executing a missed approach.
I know that jet airplanes burn an awful lot of fuel, especially at low
altitude and was concerned that the failure to have the runway ready
for use by a scheduled flight was costing the carrier unnecessary
expense.
Once the flight was on the ground, I was surprised that there were no
officials to extend a welcome – neither from the Ministry of Tourism
nor the Grenada Board of Tourism. In all fairness, it would have been
unreasonable to assume that a full-blown welcoming ceremony would be
staged at that time of morning; but, nevertheless, somebody --- ANYBODY
from either of those agencies should have been on-hand to, at least,
say “welcome.” Especially with the outrageous trumpet-blowing we have
become so accustomed to about Grenada’s efforts to get new carriers to
fly in here.
Arriving on this morning’s flight was Grenada’s Consul General in
Toronto, H.E. Jenny Gumbs, along with the President/CEO of Sunrise, Mr.
Ramnarine Tiwari – a very pleasant, humble gentleman with a commitment
to helping us meet our airlift needs. Since there was no one there to
even escort them around the terminal, I did the best I could to keep
them preoccupied as much as possible for the duration of their stay
here – including conducting an
interview with both of them. Yes,
folks, it was embarrassing since this was not my role; but, for once, I
did not mind being dragged out of bed that early in the morning ---
even after hitting the sack at 03:30am.
I learned from the Consul General that, about a month ago, she had
written to the Grenada Board of Tourism reminding them of this pending
flight and asking that some form of courtesy be extended. There was
never a reply (surprised???) So, she called the PS in Foreign Affairs
as recently as yesterday, and even on the eve of the arrival, there was
nothing planned.
Since Tourism Minister, Glynis Roberts is away in Angola, I heard from
the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Arlene Outram that
she was totally unaware that the flight was due this morning and had
only heard about Sunwing’s pending service a couple weeks ago through
media reports -- nothing official from the Grenada Board of Tourism.
According to Head of Marketing with the GBT,
Raelene Lazarus, it had
been agreed with the GBT’s marketing representative in Canada that --
because of the 05:20am scheduled time of arrival of the flight, a
reception would not be held. But, instead, when later arrival times
are scheduled by the carrier, there would be one. She also claimed
that she was not aware that the President/CEO of Sunrise International Airways was aboard
this morning, and that if they were aware of his presence, there was no way
that the Director of Tourism would have gotten on the flight and that
the proper introductions would have been made.
Notwithstanding Ms. Lazarus’ explanation about a subsequent reception,
Chairman of the GBT,
Richard Strachan, disagrees with her rationale for the absence of any
form of welcome. He expressed his disappointment and has promised to
deal with the matter at the appropriate level.
What was even more embarrassing, however, was when I learned that two
executives of the Grenada Board of Tourism were --- during the time
that the Consul General and I were sweating with embarrassment ---
sitting in the departure lounge waiting to board THAT SAME AIRCRAFT FOR
A FREE FLIGHT TO TORONTO!!!!! One of those two was actually the
Director of Tourism!!!!! Knowing the traditional greeting afforded to
new carriers, couldn’t they have wandered over to the arrival lounge to
extend at least a handshake, if not a cup of coffee, or whatever?
Just imagine this! During these very difficult economic times, by the
grace of God, we manage to get a carrier from Canada to fly in here ---
not just in the high season (like the others do) --- BUT YEAR ROUND!!!
In exchange, we can’t even afford to extend the scant courtesy of
greeting them on their first visit. Yet, we have no difficulty in
lining up for a free flight to Canada!!!
How can anyone really take us seriously when we talk tourism here??????
