Air Jamaica Executive Sees the Light at the End of the Tunnel

A member of Air Jamaica´s management team believes the financially plagued airline will continue serving Jamaica and the Caribbean, in spite of its problems that also include a reduced schedule and suspension of flights to several destinations.

Talking to a New York radio show, Kaye Chong, manager of community and special market sales, says the State-run airline will triumph over its challenges through continued business perseverance and faith.

A 35-year veteran of the airline, the executive said Air Jamaica would redouble its focus on diversity marketing, targeting church groups, the wedding and honeymoon market, and consumers interested in faith tourism.

Air Jamaica has suffered a series of setbacks following its re-acquisition by the Jamaican government in December, including the temporary suspension of routes for flight maintenance, the permanent suspension of several services and the staff layoffs.

Services to Antigua, Bonaire, St. Lucia, Houston, Manchester, and between London and Havana have been suspended.

The airline accumulated major losses under privatization due in part to high fuel and security costs, a drop in traffic following the September 11 attacks on America and declining yields in a low cost, competitive environment.

Air Jamaica pilots recently agreed to a 5.6 per cent salary cut and other concessions as part of a new three-year contract to help control escalating costs.