Dear Editor,

When the Bruce Golding Administration sold the national airline, Air Jamaica, to Trinidad, as a loyal customer I was sceptical and had mixed feelings. Even though their bid was a little late, I think it should have been sold to the Jamaican pilots because, after all, it was the Jamaican taxpayers that subsidised the airline throughout the years, and with some sensible reforms it could have been saved.

However, we all know that the cost of fuel is a major expense for an airline. So Trinidad, an oil producer in their own right, and our sister island, was a logical choice. This was a perfect marriage made in heaven to keep it in the family.

Ever since the takeover by Caribbean Airlines, though, I think they have been doing a disservice to the Caribbean people, who for the most part represent their core support. The price of oil is at a five-year low, yet in a recent study their airline ticket prices are among the most expensive of all airlines travelling to Jamaica. For example, from New York City, USA, to Istanbul, Turkey, US$509 and up. From New York City, US, to Kingston, Jamaica, via Caribbean Airlines can be US$650 and up. This airline has the advantage over the other airlines because its parent is an oil producer, yet it charges passengers a fuel surcharge. This is tantamount to Saudi Arabia asking customers of their national airlines to bear fuel costs. Southwest Airlines, which buys fuel on the open market, recently ran a US$49 domestic special in their US market.

Their argument that airfares are based on supply and demand, date and time of travel is not very convincing, in my view. No one, as far as I know, is demanding to pay $700 round trip from New York to Kingston in June, which is not a peak season, but the beginning of the hurricane season. Added to that, their customer service doesn’t even measure up. Last year, while in Jamaica, I came down with the CHIKV. I went to the ticket office in New Kingston in my sick state and told them I was unable to make my travel date for the obvious reason and they charged me a change fee. I’m not saying they should duplicate Southwest Airlines, all I’m saying is, as their name implies, they should treat Caribbean people with more consideration and compassion and not burden them with these outrageous fares.

Noel Mitchell

Westchester, New York

nlmworld@yahoo.com