THE EDITOR, Sir:WHAT'S GOING on with Air Jamaica? Even with the government repossessing the airline, the bleeding continues. Clearly, what is now taking place
with that airline is untenable. Somebody needs to take the bull by the horns and face the problems head-on. The tinkering that is presently taking place and being called reorganisation is a big joke.
Air Jamaica's financial problems are so monumental that they have to be dealt with as such.
Mr. Editor, I am offering some free advice as to what needs to be done immediately, to help save the airline in a much reduced form, at least for the time being. I am suggesting that they:
1. Keep only 10 ten aircraft. Return the rest that are now on lease to the owners. This will save quite a lot on the lease expense.
2. Reduce staffing administration, pilots, flight attendants, maintenance mechanics, service attendants etc. correspondingly. This will certainly cut the cost in this area drastically.
3. Fly only the routes that are profitable like Miami; Fort Lauderdale, New York, London and probably Toronto.
4. Cut the flights to a number that are profitable to fly. Why advertise four flights per day to Fort Lauderdale when the airline has passengers for only two flights? The airline then has to cancel two flights because of insufficient passengers. Schedule two flights instead.
Other airlines will move in to fill whatever breach may occur from this action, and they will bring in the additional tourists.
Dr. Lawrence, serious, drastic action is needed now. The time for negotiations is over. The taxpayers of this country cannot take anymore. If you and your team continue to procrastinate and hope for a miracle, then
Air Jamaica's days are indeed numbered.
I am, etc.,
ROY WILSON
7 Temple Meads
Kingston 6
