CAL passengers who were stranded over the weekend look at the flight schedules at the Piarco International Airport yesterday. Photo: Internet Source

While the final costs are still being tabulated—from chartering aircraft, compensation, to providing accommodation and meals for stranded passengers in T&T and the region, to the legal cost of seeking an injunction against its union—the reputational damage to the airline cannot be quantified.

The airline said it’s a “shame” that 60 domestic and international flights had to be cancelled during a busy travel period.

In a statement yesterday evening, the airline apologised to thousands of passengers stranded throughout the Caribbean and in T&T and put the blame on its pilots. 

CAL said the disruptions were caused “by a high volume of sick calls (93) from pilots” prior to them having to report for duty for their respective flights.

“The unavailability of these pilots, combined with the short notice, made it impossible to recover,” the company said.

CAL said in response to this “critical situation”, the airline immediately wet-leased two aircraft, obtained accommodation for stranded passengers and took legal advice.

TTALPA was instructed to direct workers/employees to immediately report to duty following the injunction.