THE NEW management of debt-ridden Air Jamaica, the national carrier, is now facing additional difficulties. Cutbacks in flight routes and operations will have a negative effect on the travel plans of even the most faithful of the 'Lovebird' passengers. But, the requirement for major maintenance and quality assurance checks has now been added to the mix. Hence the delays which caused frustration and anger among travellers at JFK airport in New York on Monday. Flights to Montego Bay and Kingston were delayed for more than nine hours.The frustration of ordinary travellers is bad enough, and the effect on prospective visitors would have been annoying. But, more
seriously, the reaction of local tourism interests bordered on
frantic for February to March, the peak period of the winter tourist season.
With management of the airline now a government responsibility, the priority must be to cut costs, but it is also vital to maintain good public relations in an industry where competition is keen.
So, we understand the mindset of Dr. Vin Lawrence, in striving to protect an unblemished safety record, presumably acting under
pressure from the United States-based Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), which has increased the frequency of inspections of the airline fleet. It is surprising that maintenance concerns have surfaced so soon after the government takeover of the airline. The minister of
transport has declined comment on this aspect of the matter, but if there are FAA concerns, they must be addressed without delay.
The new management must be mindful of inconvenience caused to passengers suffering prolonged flight delays. It would help if management and the minister himself would be more open about the difficulties facing Air Jamaica. Most Jamaicans who travel
frequently take pride in using the national airline, and would be more understanding if the authorities speak frankly about the new arrangements. A nine-hour delay awaiting a flight home must be extremely irritating.
The boisterous crowd behaviour at JFK airport is serious enough to warrant a parliamentary debate on the operation of the airline. If this situation persists through the winter, the bright promise of a tourism boom may run into turbulence with negative effects for the economy.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
