Minister of Tourism and Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar yesterday shot down claims that the process for SkyBahamas to apply for an air operating certificate is what has led to the airline’s demise. 

The Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority contends that SkyBahamas has failed to meet the nine requirements needed to receive the certificate.

It’s been downhill from there as 35 of the airline’s employees recently filed a trade dispute claiming they are owed salaries and other entitled benefits.

He added to that the airline which has been grounded since July 8was evicted from its LPIA office on August 17. 

“Certainly, the action that would have been taken by NAD which is the airport, would have been building for some time,” Minister D’Aguilar said.

“NAD took SkyBahamas to court for none payment and received an award or the ability to take the action that they have done,” the minister of tourism said. 

“So, I guess the bills have been mounting, operational difficulties have been mounting and we are where we are.” 

When asked if he thinks the airline will have a hard time getting back on its feet, the minister said, “The operator will have to evaluate that and they will have to see what the capital requirements are to reenter the market, build their brand back, attract customers back to see what amount of capital will be necessary to do it and whether they have the capital to do it and the willingness to do it.” 

Captain Randy Butler is the CEO of SkyBahamas.