Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) is facing a fresh wave of internal upheaval, with multiple top executives resigning in quick succession — a development insiders say reflects growing instability at the State-owned carrier. Trinidad Express is reporting.
According to the Express, chief financial officer Varuna Kuarsingh, chief commercial officer Martin Aeberli, and corporate secretary Nalini Lalla have all stepped down within the past two weeks. Their exits come shortly after the resignation of CEO Garvin Medera—the airline’s longest-serving chief—and the earlier dismissal of executive finance manager Kern Gardiner. In August, corporate communications manager Dionne Ligoure also resigned.
The Express reports that requests for comment from Caribbean Airlines and board chairman Reyna Kowlessar were unanswered.
Trinidad Express notes that the resignations come just months after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar publicly warned CAL’s leadership to “sort out the mess” within two years or be replaced. Since the UNC’s April 28 election victory, both the airline’s board and executive team have undergone major changes.
Kowlessar was appointed chairman of a restructured board on June 24, replacing Shameer “Ronnie” Mohammed, who resigned after seven years. The Express lists the other board members as Videsh Praim (vice-chair), Sharlene Maharaj, Prof Selwyn Cudjoe, Amit Krishan Mahabir, Larren Peart, Alicia Edwards, and Adam Moss.
Sources told the Express there are concerns the board is acting like an executive body, potentially breaching the State Enterprise Performance Monitoring Manual.
Signs of friction emerged in August when Kuarsingh, who joined in March 2023, was placed on leave. Neera Ramai-Williams has since been acting as CFO.
Like him, Aeberli, who joined in 2023 with 28 years of airline experience, has been publicly visible in CAL announcements — including the planned cancellation of the Jamaica–Florida route on November 2 as part of a network optimisation programme.
Lalla, the longest-serving executive, spent 11 years as general counsel and corporate secretary, overseeing major legal work such as fleet renewal.
The Express says CAL currently operates 20 aircraft, including nine Boeing 737 Max 8s.
According to the Express, Persad-Bissessar has repeatedly criticised the airline for unprofitable routes, years of unaudited statements, and high consultancy costs, noting that despite an 86-person Finance Department, more than $60 million was spent on Ernst & Young and PwC audits.
“I am giving the management of CAL two years to sort it out; otherwise, everyone there will be looking for a new job,” she warned in August.
The Express reports CAL’s financial performance has fluctuated:
- 2020 & 2021: US$48M operating loss (first half each year)
- 2022: US$36.7M loss (excluding debt service)
- 2023: US$24.7M profit (excluding debt service)
- 2024: US$12.1M operating profit (excluding debt service)
Revenue rose from US$306.4M in 2022 to US$430.9M in 2023 (41% increase), and US$444.6M in 2024. Former finance minister Colm Imbert credited the improvement to staff resilience but warned rising maintenance and security costs were eroding gains.
With Medera gone, the Express reports chief operating officer Nirmala Ramai has been acting as CEO.
Caribbean Airlines operates the majority of international flights linking Guyana to the Caribbean, North America and beyond, including key routes to New York, Miami and Toronto, which are vital for business, tourism and diaspora travel. The airline also flies out of both of Guyana’s international airports. From Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the country’s primary long-haul gateway, Caribbean Airlines facilitates major international travel, while from Eugene F. Correia International Airport (Ogle), it operates several regional routes, providing direct connections to neighbouring Caribbean territories. As a result, the airline’s stability is of strategic importance to Guyana.
(All details in this article were reported by the Trinidad Express.)