THE EDITOR, Sir:

Gordon 'Butch' Stewart is a strategic fellow, which has undoubtedly led to his huge success in the tourism and hospitality industry. But one of his major flaws was again revealed when he signalled thumbs up to an absurdity in governance on the decision to give American Airlines a US$4.5 million (J$324 million) guarantee to encourage flights to the island.

While tourism benefits us all in terms of foreign exchange earnings and jobs for Jamaicans, it is obvious that 'Butch' remains one its greatest benefactors. It comes as no surprise that his reasoning led him to argue that the figure "is token money". If good sense had prevailed, however, he would agree that moves should be made to enhance the capacity and reliability of Air Jamaica to protect the industry. If the routes being abandoned by American Airlines are covered by Air Jamaica, then why don't we seek to position our national carrier, and our country, to reap maximum benefits from this advantage?

Considering the history of Air Jamaica and Stewart, his arguments supporting this deal challenge his credibility, serving only to imply a strategy that protects him and his various interests. His support of this arrangement, therefore, gets a big 'thumbs down'. As for the Government, they just have a lot of money in the tourism enhancement fund and they just seem not to know what to do with it.

I am, etc.,

ARTHNEL EDWARDS

arthneledwards@yahoo.co.uk