By Erica James-King, Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
DESPITE CALLS by civic groups for Air Jamaica Express to reconsider its decision to pull out of Negril by month-end, the airline's management has insisted it would be unprofitable to continue flying there.
At the same time, the airline's management said that while they were open for discussions, the company would only review its position "if market conditions" in the travel industry improve.
Leo Lambert, corporate communications director for the ATL/Sandals group, of which Air Jamaica Express is a subsidiary, said it would be unprofitable for the airline to continue its intra-island trips to Negril, as the airline was currently operating at only 20 to 30 per cent of its carrying capacity. He said continued operations on the Negril route would only compromise the viability of the airline.
SMALLER REVENUES
Emphasising that the pullout was necessary, Mr. Lambert told The Gleaner there was a general decline in revenues on the route. "It was a strict business decision," he said. "I don't know that prior consultations with groups in Negril would have changed anything," he added. "A credible plan that would see the passenger load increasing significantly, that's the only basis on which we would reconsider our decision."
Meanwhile, the Negril Chamber of Commerce and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association have lamented the decision to discontinue the flights.
WILL HURT NEGRIL'S BUSINESS
Noting that it will be a "blow" to commerce in the parish, Kenrick Davis, president of the Negril Chamber of Commerce, said he was disappointed that Air Jamaica Express did not meet with the business community in Negril to discuss the problems they were having before taking a decision. He said he was seeking a meeting with the management to discuss the matter.
"There are several things Air Jamaica Express could do without pulling out of Negril totally. It could possibly scale back on some flights," said Mr. Davis. "The business people in Negril who rely heavily on Air Jamaica to keep their business appointments in Kingston and to fly in local guests from Kingston don't want to see the Airline terminate all services to Negril," he added.
WILLING TO MEET GROUPS
Mr. Lambert said so far the airline has not received a formal request from any group in Negril for a meeting, but he assured that "if they have suggestions as to how the route can become more viable, then I am sure the management of Air Jamaica Express will be willing to meet with them."
Carolyn Wright, president of the Negril Chapter of the JHTA, said the overwhelming feeling by small and large hotel operators in the resort was that when Air Jamaica Express pulls out of Negril "it will seriously retard the growth of the sector."
According to her, "Most tourists want to know they can get to their destinations quickly and so catching a connecting flight to Negril is the ideal thing for them." She said, "Negril, which is the fastest growing tourist destination, should never be without this easy option for both local and foreign visitors to hotels in this resort town."
