Grupo Taca claims it played no part in the eight-month delay Honduras-based Sol Air experienced in gaining access to El Salvador and beyond to Miami (see Briefing May).

"TACA was never involved in the Sol Air proceedings," insists William Handal, vice-president of El Salvador's Taca International Airlines. "Sol Air's permit was delayed because they did not complete in time the information required by law," he adds.

Sol Air president Ricardo Martinez complains that El Salvador held up its request for nearly a year because Sol Air wet-leases jets from Falcon Air Express, which is a US rather than a Honduran carrier.

Source: Airline Business