Air Jamaica Denies Downsizing Rumors

Contrary to reports that surfaced in Jamaica's Sunday Gleaner newspaper on Jan. 6, Air Jamaica officials confirm "no decision was ever made" to permanently downsize its staff by 30 percent, according to Shirley Williams, executive chairman of Air Jamaica.

In a follow-up story in the Gleaner on Jan. 7, Williams denied that mass staff cutbacks were planned, although she did confirm that temporary workers who had been hired specifically for the holiday season through Dec. 31, 2007 had been dismissed, as per their contracts.

George deMercado, vice president of sales, confirmed to Travel Weekly that the carrier had no plans to downsize and "the chairman's statements are accurate."