THE EDITOR, Sir:

I was amazed at the news announced by Minister Audley Shaw that Air Jamaica is to be divested so that an American company can run it properly and relieve us the Jamaican taxpayers. I could not believe my eyes and ears.

Right now, the rich and mighty United States and Italy cannot profitably run the world's biggest and most efficient airlines nor keep them out of bankruptcy without public support.

Southwest Airlines is the only North American passenger carrier that is in the black - and then only just. Only Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian airlines break even in the present global economic climate, through injection of their petrodollars.

Be realistic

Why does not Shaw woo Dubai, Singapore or Malaysia for support?

Asking America to run Air Jamaica right now is like asking the undertaker to carry out emergency surgery on a patient.

On a recent Air Jamaica flight from Miami to Kingston, there were 17 of us on a wide-body Airbus. This is not our fault, and no expensive advertising route-chopping or fare-cutting will help. It is the world we live in.

For more than 30 years, our lovebirds - mechanical and human - have been by far the best and most successful ambassadors Jamaica has ever had.

You want to cut us off from the rest of the world? Wake up, Mr Shaw, and be realistic.

I am, etc.,

ALAN EYRE

lawrencealaneyre

@cwjamaica.com