Bartlett 'pained' by pending demise of Air J, but...

CMC

Friday, March 12, 2010

BERLIN, Germany (CMC) -- Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett yesterday described the pending demise of Air Jamaica as a truly painstaking decision, but said the Bruce Golding administration had been left with no choice but to wind down its costly operations.

"We know we had to take a tough, hard decision. Believe me, it is a nerve-wracking and emotionally draining exercise, even politically it is difficult, but there are times, as it is said, when 'a man's got to do what a man's got to do'," he told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) in an interview on the fringes of the ITB Berlin, Trade & Consumer Exhibition, taking place here from March 10 to 14.

The loss-making carrier, which is said to have accumulated a US$1.3-billion deficit over the course of its more than 40-year history, has been regarded as a national institution of Jamaica.

But the operations of the national flag carrier have proven far too costly, especially for the Jamaica Government, which is dealing with other economic challenges that, together with Air Jamaica's heavy load, amount to a significant strain on the public purse and have all but sealed the fate of the stuttering airline.

Though "pained" by the situation, Bartlett said it was not a question of feeling any regret.

"The hardcore facts are, we can't afford it," he told CMC.

"I am pained by having to do it but when you have to make business decisions that will inure to the wider good, regrets cannot be the term you use, it has to be that it is a difficult choice, it is painful yes, but you have got to do what you have got to do," he said.

However, Bartlett said he felt comforted by plans by the Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines to take over Air Jamaica's profitable routes and to service Jamaica's immediate demands for airlift in the deal between the two regional carriers, expected to be finalised by April 12.

He explained that, essentially, Air Jamaica had already shed its unprofitable routes, leaving five key routes in service.

"Those are the routes that Caribbean Airlines will be taking over," said Bartlett.

"We feel comfortable with the airlift arrangements that we have now for most of the routes. Caribbean Airlines, I think, will pick up much of, if not perhaps 70 per cent. We think that the existing carriers can have capacity for another 15 per cent and after 85 per cent we don't worry.

"I think that, on balance, we should be in good shape but we still have to watch and see and make sure that we are there and being proactive because the one thing that we cannot afford is to lose capacity out of the US market," the Jamaican tourism minister added.

He contended that "all is not lost", adding that somewhere in the future the national flag carrier of Jamaica may fly again, but for now, he said, "I think we have to take the decision that is the best option that we have at this time".

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COMMENTS (8)

S S
3/13/2010

Wow!! The past administration had the problem of Air Jamaica for like (what....the past 18 years?) and did not know what to do with it. The present administration had the problem for like (wat 3 years?) and they found an answer. How comes?? I wonder if they found this base on recordings/reports that were left by the past administration? Hmmm?
They fact is Air Jamaica was divested under the ruling party.

Charles White
3/13/2010

I am truly confused. The current government (and the previous one) made it clear that the continued losses of AJ had to be stopped by selling the airline. This decision has been openly discussed for years. There was no outrage, no counter proposals by the pilots or the AJ employees to buy the airline years ago, no public outcry about losing a national symbol years ago. Until now. Jamaica has much to be proud of, but maintaining an airline that is just an anchor on the economy is not worthwhile. If having a national airline is so important, why did this not come forward until now?

Everton Hewitt
3/12/2010

Mr Bartlett....so if Air Jamaica now have profitable routes, which simply means the airline will now be making profits ..why get rid of it?? stop lying to john public Mr Bartlett...Air Jamaica cut routes because all they have is six planes..six planes can only fly so often..you drop the Miami route not because Air Jamaica wasn't making money there..you did it because American Airlines threatened to stop serving Jamaica..so you let them have that route for themselves..Air J was out doing AA on that route along with the Chicago and Dallas routes..Mr Bartlett ..you and Mr Golding owe the Jamaican public has to why Air Jamaica failed..Air J was making money on all its routes..corruption and mismanagement played a big roll in the failure..but nobody will stand up and say it...the Jamaican public need to know what capacity the airline was flying on all the routes it served and how much was made and how much was spent on what..there must be a hearing on this..where are the business minded Jamaicans ..why aren't they speaking out..

Nunya Business
3/12/2010

Its a shame that the quality of service of the airline was in decline long before the airline itself went belly up. I am saddened by this but since I haven't flown Air Jamaica in over five years its not a great personal loss...

Karen Lee
3/12/2010

..air jamaica will soar again...its just such a loss to one our national symbol....it is such a beautiful and colorful plane to look at on the runway...wow..

Arlene Frome
3/12/2010

Mr.Bartlett ur so right the national carrier will fly again.But i don't think it will fly again under u r ur government watch just like in the past. It will take a PNP government to let it fly again. History has repeated itself again.

baRt siMsen
3/12/2010

Air Jamaica had long needed to get rid itself of the termites and incompetents that were there killing it. Air Jamaica's demise is of its own making. Sad to say, Jamaica, unless it changes course, is heading for a similiar fate. These old foolish and oftentimes corrupt politicians must me removed from office; by force if necessary. Jamaica needs a new captain and crew. Now!

Cristobal Birdie
3/12/2010

When asked by the news a few weeks ago, what would happen with No Air Jamaica, didn't Mr. Bartlett reply "No Air Jamaica; No Problem." Seems as if he is having a change of heart.

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Bartlett 'pained' by pending demise of Air J, but...