KENNETH Osborne Rattray, who helped give birth to the national airline, and once served as its president, was honoured at a banquet Tuesday evening as a visionary who shaped the island’s aviation industry.>

Rattray was sick and did not attend the dinner, although members of his family were present.

Robert Pickersgill, the minister of transport and works, paid homage to Rattray, a former solicitor-general, during a dinner at the Jamaica Pegasus that capped a two-day aviation conference.

Rattray assisted in creating Air Jamaica during its “fledgling days as a subsidiary of British Airways, and then Air Canada,” related Pickersgill.

“Later, he was one of the principal negotiators in securing the recognition of Air Jamaica as our national carrier, as well as securing route rights between Jamaica and several countries through Bilateral Air Transport Agreements,” he added.

Currently, Rattray serves as Chairman of the island’s Air Policy Committee.

Pickersgill noted that Rattray also played a vital role in the restructuring of the Civil Aviation Department into a modern Civil Aviation Authority, allowing it full autonomy in executing its mandate of regulating civil aviation in Jamaica.

Describing Rattray as a selfless public servant, Pickersgill said he “had several opportunities to move out of public service in Jamaica and set up his own private enterprise, but chose to remain in a position that allowed him to serve his country both locally and overseas, with distinction.”

“While aviation is his first love, he is always able to advise on matters dealing with other modes of transport, including the drafting of the Shipping Bill of 1998, which was the instrument that allowed the formulation of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica,” the minister added.

In addition to aviation, Pickersgill said that Rattray had played a major role in shaping the philosophical underpinnings of Jamaica and the Caribbean’s attitude about its place in the world.

“His insistence on the point that small economies have certain inherent disadvantages in world trade, and therefore ought to receive special protection, is now accepted as a main negotiating position by developing countries everywhere,” said Pickersgill.

More than 100 aviation professionals attended the two-day conference that ended on Tuesday. Sponsored by the Airports Authority of Jamaica, its theme was: “Air Transportation: Development Impact on Caribbean Economies”.