Caribbean Airlines will begin operating the troubled airbridge from Monday, October 1.

The airline announced on Wednesday that it had acquired all the outstanding shares in Tobago Express.

The airline said under its management the airbridge will maintain the present schedule with the current fleet of Avro aircraft and the ongoing support of its Boeing 737-800 aircraft at times of high demand. It said the airbridge will continue to be regulated by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.

Tobago Express employees will receive statutory severance packages and offered new and enhanced three-month transition contracts with Caribbean Airlines. It added that during this time it will work with its employees and customers to design the optimum airbridge service and following this, staff will be given opportunities to join Caribbean Airline's permanent ranks.

"Caribbean Airlines plans to offer seamless connections between the island for local and international travellers, making the destination part of its network," the airline's CEO Peter Davies said. He said CA's schedule will also link other carriers landing in Port of Spain to Crown Point, bringing more visitors to Tobago.

The airline said it was committed to bringing the same on-time performance and customer service levels it delivered to its current customers and had already developed check-in capabilities, online booking and payment solutions for both customers and travel agents and plans to enhance the overall airport experience.

CEO designate Philip Saunders said: "We will aim to have a seamless transition for our customers and business partners. We are convinced that by concentrating on improving distribution processes and customer service we can build the foundation for the future sustainability of the airbridge."

CA said the route will benefit from being part of the global distribution system used by it, giving international travel agents access to the route seat availability and opportunities to sell the destination to their clients on a global basis.

It promised to service all flights between Trinidad and Tobago in a most efficient and professional manner in which it currently operated its entire network.

The airbridge has been plagued with problems for many years and the action by CA would hopefully bring relief to the travelling public.