Bartlett defends AA deal despite CG's lashing

Thursday, March 04, 2010

TOURISM Minister Ed Bartlett has defended his arrangement for air service agreement between Jamaica and American Airlines, saying that the deal was transparent and done to protect the fragile tourism industry.

Bartlett, in a letter yesterday to the prime minister, said there was "extensive documentary trail" to show that no consideration occupied the signing of the agreement other than to cauterise a situation that would have spelt disaster for the island's economy.

"The truth is that in all circumstances in content and in procedure there was total transparency in the conduct of the air service agreement with AA," Bartlett said in the letter, which was later released to the media.

Contractor General Greg Christie, in a scathing report to Parliament on Tuesday, charged that the Bruce Golding administration was misled about details of the US$4.5 million airlift guarantee deal, which was "improperly and irregularly awarded" and signed before it was presented to the Cabinet.

Christie said that his investigations showed that Bartlett, Director of Tourism John Lynch and executive director of Jamaica Vacations (JAMVAC), Lionel Reid played major roles that led to the signing of the agreement.

Bartlett yesterday argued that the fundamental issue raised by the contractor general was whether there was any dishonest intent that informed the consultations between JAMVAC and AA and also whether any attempt was considered or made to deceive Cabinet.

He said that the genesis of the matter occurred between December 2007 and January 2008 when Lynch informed him that American Airlines indicated that it was preparing to withdraw flights from a number of gateways.

According to Bartlett, the airline intended to suspend, indefinitely, service from Dallas to Montego Bay, reduce service from Miami to Montego Bay and downsize its aircraft from New York to Montego Bay.

"This significant reduction of service to Montego Bay would have disastrous impact on visitor arrivals to Jamaica," Bartlett said.

Instructions, he said, were subsequently given to Lynch to discuss the issue and its implications with the airline with a view to preventing the loss of any route.

The tourism minister added that after an initial understanding was arrived at with AA, a Cabinet submission, dated July 2008, was prepared and delivered to Cabinet Office but was subsequently withdrawn.

A second Cabinet submission was prepared and submitted, Bartlett said, but it was again withdrawn "to allow for further consultations on the recommendations and alternative proposals including consultations with the Attorney General's Office".

Bartlett contended that both the attorney general and the Ministry of Finance, in their deliberations, concluded that the Air Service agreement did not constitute a normal procurement contract.

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COMMENTS (9)

Clare Forrester
3/5/2010

TERRI GREEN, who is the "everyone" referred to in your comment?. And what is the "good" that we should all appreciate to have emerged from this costly initiative?

Clara Brooks
3/5/2010

it's no coincidence that this happened to Ed. the prime minister must be fuming now, because he trusted this guy with Lynch to check out the right deal, and it turned out to be the opposite. This deal is wrong, and must be nullified immediately. Ed has been known not to pay attention to details, and he can be so hard headed. We followed this AA deal closely. This is deal is wrong from the begining. It's a jackass deal. AA is no good anyway, too many incidence with their flights, and their planes to Jam are too old.

Hope Alive
3/4/2010

Not a thing will happen to Mr. Barlett.

Everton Hewitt
3/4/2010

So if American Airlines did suspend service to Jamaica..wouldnt it be good for Air Jamaica ...YES... tourists do fly on Air Jamaica ...tourists come to Jamaica not because of American Airlines but because of what we have to offer ...Air Jamaica is/was serving all three of the routes ..so thats the reason why Mr Bartlette suspended the Dallas and Miami route .which Air Jamaica have been serving Miami from day one..had American Airline left it would have boost Air J's capacity and hopefully have the right management in place to turn it around Shame! Shame! Minister Bartlette you sold us (Air Jamaica/Jamaicans)out for foreingers.

Hope Alive
3/4/2010

Missing Sand Scandal ...Furnisher scandal .... American Airline Scandal... What next?

Hope Alive
3/4/2010

@ Terri Green: Where were you? I'm sure you were not on earth. As far as I know, many persons were against the deal. Check the facts

TERRI GREEN
3/4/2010

When the deal was first disclosed to the country everyone was excited dispite the possibility of failure. We need to appreciate the good attained from this endevour and try to alliviate the problem presently at hand instead of throwing stones.

Dale Everel Moony Morris
3/4/2010

Again, all things considerd l believe the minister is only one of a handfull that demonstrate the level of convidence and competence in their role so I would say in the name of progress let him ruin since it turns out to be profitable.
I know we would all want his head had it gone the other way.

3/4/2010

Please just resign!
I said that long time ago and I repeat it.
It seems this man takes , extra-special pleasure in spending Jamaica's cash.
.....TG....

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Bartlett defends AA deal despite CG's lashing