The Editor, Sir:

I am bewildered at the response to the enquiry surrounding Air Jamaica sale/lease/code sharing of the London-Kingston route. Earlier this year, Parliament accepted a revised business plan which called for the replacement of the existing fleet of Airbus aircraft with Boeing 737, and 757 aircraft.

The fleet replacement was questioned in light of the fact that, until recently, Air Jamaica boasted that it had the newest fleet to the Caribbean. Other airlines, at the time were flying much older Boeing 727 aircraft into Jamaica and presumably making money.

At the time of the acceptance of the revised business plan by Parliament, no other details were forthcoming. However, it was obvious then that the London route had to go. We know, without much detail that Virgin Atlantic and Air Jamaica have concluded negotiations, or, are in the advanced stages of negotiations for the transfer of the route.

Once again the Government has squandered any goodwill it may have had in addressing the Air Jamaica situation. There is no doubt that the public is not happy with the mounting losses at the national carrier. There is consensus that something MUST be done to turn the airline around. How could the Government turn this golden opportunity into a public relations fiasco? The stakeholders are up in arms that they were not allowed an input, in the decision making, and are questioning whether othe were explored.

Why must the Government continue their cloak and dagger style of management? Air Jamaica is not a private carrier, it belongs to the people. The hard-working staff deserve better, the taxpayers deserve better, the passengers deserve better, Jamaica deserves better.

I am, etc.,

KIRK BARROW

kabarrow@hotmail.com

Kingston 10

Via Go-Jamaica