THE EDITOR, Sir:

Your strong and eye-catching editorial in Thursday's Gleaner (October 26) on the matter of Air Jamaica is indeed welcome.

However, you failed to recall that under the immediate past private sector management, the Government was drained of subsidies despite its minority share in the business. That all this facilitated the tourism sector which brought in millions, is beyond debate.

You have now made a capital suggestion. Air Jamaica should forge an alliance with other regional airlines, assuming I take it that those airlines wish to hook up with Air Jamaica. Air Jamaica may even want to re-ally with British Airways or Virgin Atlantic but not lose its 'gate' at Heathrow.

Governments bailing out entities that provide essential services is by no means peculiar to Jamaica, but I agree that we cannot kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Air Jamaica is essential to Jamaica and so, admittedly, are the imagination and common sense you imply in the editorial.

Ask the Hon. Noel Hylton, a former CEO of Air Jamaica, about his experience at the time of Hurricane Gilbert and the importance of Air J to the speedy recovery made. A national airline is not a luxury, it is a necessity.

I am, etc.,

Concerned Jamaican

P.O. Box 201

Kingston