Flight Attendants’ Walkout Puts Air Jamaica Service in Jeopardy

A walkout by 38 of Air Jamaica’s 300 flight attendants yesterday forced the cancellation of several flights from Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Toronto to Montego Bay and Kingston, Jamaica.

Air Jamaica officials, who confirmed the walkout, were in board meetings in Kingston headquarters and did not issue a statement.

The fate of flights later this week from the U.S. and Canada was unknown, although flights from New York Kennedy to Montego Bay through Friday were listed as “not available” on the airline’s Web site.

Shirley Williams, Air Jamaica CEO, said that the walkout was unexpected because management had been planning to meet with workers Tuesday to discuss grievances over benefits and salaries, according to reports.