Air Jamaica chief executive officer Christopher Zacca (second left) gets his name tag from Sandrea Falconer, newly-appointed director of communication (right) during the airline's orientation programme held recently in Montego Bay. Looking on are Mr. John Greenfield, newly-appointed vice-president in charge of airline planning, and human resource director, Mrs. Beverley Hall-Alleyne. The orientation exercise is a Human Resource Department-driven initiative to familiarise staff with the strategic vision and mission of the airline. - ContributedAIR JAMAICA has recorded fifteen per cent growth in each of the last five years of operation, according to president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Air Jamaica, Christopher Zacca.
He said in 2000 Air Jamaica carried more than half the tourists who visited the island and that the airline has contributed $10 billion directly to the economy and another $40 billion indirectly.
Mr. Zacca who was speaking to more than one hundred new members of staff at an orientation exercise in Montego Bay, recently, said the airline has to grow its way to profitability by adding new routes and increasing the fleet size.
He warned employees that they have a burden and responsibility to make the airline a success because of its importance to the economy of Jamaica.
The chief executive officer said Air Jamaica has made real progress with a 15 per cent growth in each of the last five years of operation.
He said the growth had been achieved through efficiency and improvement in the cost per seat mile. The Air Jamaica CEO said the goals of the company are profitability, safety, on time performance and ultimately happy customers.
Mr. Zacca told the staff that although cost cutting is a major goal, "Air Jamaica will never cut one dollar if it will compromise the safety of passengers."
The orientation exercise, which was organised by the Human Resources Department, allows new members of staff to meet the airline's executive team and to get an overview of the company's operation, policies and goals.
Despite the contraction in employment levels nationally, Air Jamaica has hired 116 new members of staff in recent months. This brings the total staff complement in Jamaica to more than 2400.
