Business as Usual at Air Jamaica since Takeover

Air Jamaica’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bruce Nobles has assured Jamaicans living in Canada that it is business as usual at Air Jamaica, since the take-over by Caribbean Airlines on May 1.

“Air Jamaica is still here. The little piece of Jamaica that flies still flies. It is still the best deal in town, still the best Lovebird hospitality and still the most flights to Jamaica,” he said. The president was giving an update on Air Jamaica on June 3 in Toronto, Canada. He was joined by the CEO of Caribbean Airlines, Captain Ian Brunton and officials from both airlines.

Nobles said that the Transition Services Agreement signed between Air Jamaica and Caribbean Airlines on May 1 would see Air Jamaica operating exactly the same during a six to 12-month transition period.

He said during this transition period, the two airlines would work closely to develop a combined airline taking the strengths of Air Jamaica and the strengths of Caribbean Airlines and creating “one larger, stronger, better capitalized regional airline that can provide the kind of product that travelers to and from Jamaica and the Caribbean region can benefit.”

Nobles said that Caribbean Airlines has assumed full financial responsibility for Air Jamaica; the Government of Jamaica has a 16 per cent ownership in Caribbean Airlines; and Caribbean Airlines has retained approximately 1,000 employees from Air Jamaica.

He explained that because of the economic losses that Air Jamaica had suffered over the years, it was imperative to divest the airline.

As of July 1, Air Jamaica will increase its services, including an additional daily flight to Toronto. Two free checked bags will also be allowed in economy class and three free checked bags in executive class, plus discounts for seniors and accompanied minors.

The information session was attended by executives from Caribbean Airlines and Air Jamaica, including Chief of Sales, Will Rogers; Regional Manager for the Jamaica Tourist Board, Sandra Scott; President of the Jamaican Diaspora Canada Foundation (JDCF), Sharon Folkes-Abrahams; travel agents and representatives from Jamaican community organizations.