Three general aviation operators have stated that they are not connected to a recent call for resignation of the executives of the Airports Authority of Jamaica and the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority.

Last Wednesday, a letter authored by the Jamaican Aviation Operators and Pilots Association (JAOPA) was addressed to the Minister of Transport and Works, Mike Henry, calling for the resignation of the Director General of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, Nari Williams-Singh, and the President of the Airports Authority of Jamaica, Audley Deidrick, on the basis that “their hapless performance in the past and their lack of vision for the future is contributing to the demise of the industry”.

Steven Laing, managing director of Tara Courier Services Ltd; Fraser McConnell, MD of TimAir Ltd, and Keith Charles of Airspeed Charters, in a letter addressed to Deidrick and Williams-Singh noted that they were not in agreement with the letter penned by JOAPA calling for the resignation of the individuals.

“We write in reference to the article published in the Jamaica Observer of Sunday, September 4, 2016. We, Tara Courier Services Ltd, TimAir Ltd and Airspeed Charters wish to clearly state that we did not sign the letter authorised by the Jamaica Aviators Operators and Pilots Association (JAOPA) calling for the resignation of both your positions as Director General of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) and President of the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ). Furthermore, JAOPA does not have any authority to speak on our behalf. We therefore wish to distance ourselves from any disputes that the JAOPA may have with the JCAA and AAJ, and both your offices,” the letter stated.

“Tara Courier, TimAir and Airspeed have a long and productive relationship with the JCAA and AAJ and hold no grouses towards either organisation or its present leaders, and we do not wish to see the premature end of both your tenures in office. On the contrary, we are pleased with the working relationship that we have enjoyed with both organisations over the years.

We also look forward to future collaborations that may enhance the aviation industry in Jamaica, and we unreservedly offer our assistance in any areas of growth and development that are required.”