Caribbean Airlines (BW, Port of Spain) is planning to end widebody operations with the return of its two B767-300(ER)s - 9Y-LGW (msn 26327) and 9Y-LHR (msn 27597) - to the International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) during the first quarter of next year.
According to airline sources who spoke to Airways magazine, the return of the B767s will coincide with the closure of its sole European route, Port of Spain-London Gatwick, which has been performing below expectations since its launch in mid-2012.
The move is part of a streamlining exercise aimed at cutting unprofitable routes from the carrier's portfolio while focussing on those that are viable - Fort Lauderdale International, New York JFK, and Toronto Pearson in particular.
So far this year, the national carrier of Trinidad and Tobago has withdrawn two B737-800s from its fleet with another two set to leave before year-end. Its fleet of five ATR72-600s will remain untouched.
