Caribbean Regional Air Transport Delayed?

I note, with disappointment, the rejection by the Jamaican Government of the Airone application to start a Caribbean regional carrier based in Jamaica. The airline was proposed to start operations later this year and broaden the tourism market to Jamaica as well as better service the needs of the Jamaican/ Caribbean Diaspora.

The reason given relates to the scheduled divestment of Air Jamaica within the next 2 years, but this is faulty logic as the 2 airlines were clearly catering to different markets. Furthermore in the reality of today’s globalised marketplace the Jamaican Government cannot significantly assist Air Jamaica, or its future owners, in its competition with other airlines – of which at least 7 come from the USA alone. In fact, in some cultures, the offer by the Jamaican Government to “protect” Air Jamaica will be read as a sign of weakness and low confidence in the Air Jamaica brand.

In the meantime we, the Jamaican Diapsora in the UK, are already suffering the effects of Air Jamaica’s exit from the British marketplace late last year. This arose from the ill-advised sale of Air Jamaica’s Heathrow slots by the previous Jamaican Government administration in a questionable “value-for-money” deal on behalf of our people.

Airfares from the UK to Jamaica are now over £800 in peak summer season and were over £1,100 in the Christmas season just gone. Virgin and BA now control this direct air route and there is very little difference in the fares at these peak times.

Whist one can get reasonable deals on the said route for under £400 at the off-peak season this is of little comfort to FAMILIES who must travel at peak times and pay the extortionate fares.

What this will result in is fewer Diaspora families, who MUST travel during their children’s school holiday period, visiting Jamaica during the children’s formative years.

The weakening of the link between the UK Jamaican younger generation Diapsora and Jamaica will deteriorate even faster resulting in substantial inestimable loss to the Jamaican economy of hundreds of millions of pounds in financial terms alone. Our younger generation form the basis of our country’s future overseas investors and customers.

An airline proposed by Airone could have provided a much needed service to the overseas Jamaican community where it is currently poorly serviced – the UK. The wider Caribbean Diaspora in the UK numbers over a million people and the younger generation comprises an increasing percentage of the numbers. It is they who are being ignored in the grand scheme of things.

As for Air Jamaica’s future lets hope its new owners have the substantial capital and vision necessary to take the airline to higher levels of performance and global presence and not just capture it as an adjunct to an existing outfit to milk the hapless Jamaican consumer be they at home or abroad!!