Edmond Campbell, Senior News Coordinator

Wheby

AIR JAMAICA continues to be plagued by financial problems with the airline recording year to date losses of US$10 million (J$710 million).

The national airline has been hit with some 300 cancellations between January and April this year. Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Don Wheby said the cancellations included 141 scheduled changes.

Responding to questions from an Opposition senator, Sandrea Falconer yesterday, Wheby said passengers were re-routed to other flights following the cancellations.

The cost for the cancellations was US$1,371,666 (J$97million) for the four-month period. He said the expenditure includes a combination of travel certificates for future travel, hotel accommodation and re-routing of passengers on other carriers.

quizzed about flight

Wheby who has oversight responsibility for the national airline, was also quizzed about a recent flight from Kingston to Barbados, which was ordered to return to the gate for a late passenger. The Air Jamaica flight was reportedly on the taxiway and was preparing for take-off.

Senator Wheby conceded that the 40-minute delay caused three passengers to miss their flight connections in Barbados.

The Minister without portfolio in charge of the national airline said the decision for the aircraft to return for the late passenger resulted in a cost to the airline totalling US$942 (J$67,000).

The airline had to refuel at a cost of US$342 while the cost to re-route the three passengers was US$600.

Asked whether measures have been put in place to prevent a recurrence, Wheby said all sectors of management were fully aware that aircraft should only return to the gate if there was a mechanical or operational problem.

edmond.Campbell@gleanerjm.com