Merger Between Air Jamaica and BWIA Suggested

In the wake of Air Jamaica´s troubles, St. Lucia´s Tourism Director, Hilary Modeste has called for a merger between the Jamaican air company and the Trinidad national airline, BWIA. He believed it has become even more urgent if the Caribbean is to avoid pitfalls in the development of tourism.

The Tourism official was speaking against the background of the recent announcement by Air Jamaica of its temporary withdrawal of services from the Eastern Caribbean less that a month before the start of the St. Lucia Jazz Festival, for which the airline is a gold sponsor.

The decision has been attributed to the airlines newly accelerated maintenance schedule, a mandatory requirement by the US Federal Aviation authorities.

Modest said that the sudden action of Air Jamaica, having only recently signed up as the official carrier for the April 29th to May 8th St. Lucia Jazz Air Jamaica, was unacceptable, more so as the airline only informed the St. Lucia authorities of its decision through a press release.

I cannot understand how in 2005 when all other major airlines such as KLM, and Air France are seeking possible mergers as a way of minimizing their operational costs, and stay alive in this very difficult market, that Air Jamaica and BWIA cannot find it necessary to come together, Modeste complained.

We have two regional carriers with international connections, which are both tottering in the market, having to ensure significant losses and they are not even thinking of coming together, he added.

Last year, Air Jamaica brought close to 29,000 to St. Lucia. The airline has promised to normalise its services by April 16, but tourism officials here say they were not too optimistic about the airline´s promised date of return.