18/08/2020
Hello I’m John McIntyre, Charge D’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy. On Tuesday, August 18, our 10th repatriation flight left for the United States. Since borders closed in Trinidad and Tobago in March, we have repatriated 932 U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents. We have received approval from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GoTT) for two more flights for the month of August. However, there continues to be a lot of misinformation regarding flights leaving for the USA. I encourage you to read the factual information below regarding flights to the USA.
First, borders in Trinidad and Tobago remain closed. This means that any flight into and out of T & T requires GoTT approval. Regularly scheduled commercial flights are NOT authorized by the GoTT. If and when that policy changes, we are confident that airlines will be able to quickly set up regularly scheduled flights.
So, only after GoTT approval can a US airline be asked to fly in, and please note, those planes fly in empty and with a number of other restrictions. Even with these restrictions, the airlines are offering ticket prices that are similar to pre-border closure prices. Because the flights are ad hoc, the airlines have to make special arrangements in their reservation systems. This is why flights often are not for sale exactly when announced, and why ticket agents often do not have information on those flights when you call. In addition, the US Embassy does not control nor sell tickets for these flights.
In March 2020, the U.S. Government, the Department of State, and the embassy put out advisories to the American community noting if a US Citizen wanted to return to the USA, they should do so immediately or be prepared to stay outside the USA for an indefinite amount of time.
Your embassy in Port of Spain has and will continue to work with the GoTT and USA airlines for more flights. We appreciate the support of the GoTT, and will continue to advocate for increased travel options for those seeking to leave for the USA.