Caribbean Airlines confirms Blue Waters removed from flights

State-owned Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has confirmed that Blue Waters bottled water is no longer being served on its flights, days after the airline quietly switched suppliers following the detention of the company’s principal owners under Preventive Detention Orders (PDOs).

In a media release today, CAL confirmed that it had changed its bottled water supplier for its in-flight service.

The airline did not identify either the former or new supplier but said it conducted the procurement process in accordance with the Office of Procurement Regulation, ensuring a fair and transparent process.

CAL said the change forms part of its ongoing transformation programme, which is focused on improving operational efficiency and supporting the airline’s long-term sustainability.

The confirmation follows a Guardian Media report that the airline had stopped serving Blue Waters on its flights last Wednesday after more than 15 years and replaced it with Dasani, which is produced locally by Caribbean Bottlers Trinidad & Tobago Ltd, a subsidiary of the Coca-Cola Company.

Sources told Guardian Media the decision created operational challenges in the immediate aftermath of the switch because Blue Waters is supplied across the airline’s network.

“Crews had to remove the labels of the water before they served. And some crews had to pour water into cups for customers,” one source said.

Guardian Media was also told that the decision to change suppliers came from CAL’s board.

Neither board chairman Reyna Kowlessar nor other company officials responded to questions from Guardian Media on what prompted the immediate change.

Blue Waters has supplied bottled water to the airline for years, with payment records obtained by Guardian Media showing CAL spent about $460,000 on bottled water in 2024, including approximately $264,000 on invoices from Blue Waters.

The switch comes as Blue Waters owners Dominic Hadeed and his wife, Genevieve Hadeed, remain in custody under PDOs alongside their relative, Star Sabga. The three are being detained as law enforcement investigates an alleged conspiracy to murder Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and other senior members of her Cabinet. No criminal charges have been laid against them.

Despite the change in suppliers, Caribbean Airlines said customers can continue to expect the same high standard of on-board service as it remains committed to delivering a safe, reliable and enjoyable travel experience.