Jamaicans abroad upset at sale of Air J

**Dr.Dudd** · 01-29-2010, 10:26 AM

Re: Jamaicans abroad upset at sale of Air J

Which of the examples your suggested, were discontinued before their replacement was in place??
What is your replacement for airlines?
I know......No answer.

As usual... That is what happen when we accept the pronouncements of others as gospel, without critically analysing it ourselves.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TonyRoyal</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr.Dudd</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold">So are you suggesting that because most airlines are unprofitable, they should not exist?</span>
Since your logic is that if it is unprofitable it should not be owned, by anybody then..
Incidentally if The PM ask my advice.

i would tell him to do it like they did with the Jamaica producer company.
Sell the shares to Jamaican citizens. And fully fund it with only minimal debts.
It would be profitable.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TonyRoyal</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For those who are supporting the idea of keeping AJ. If Bruce call you into his office tomorrow and hand AJ over to you. How would you turn AJ around and make it profitable? Before you answer READ the piece Below

During this time, concern over airline bankruptcies and falling stock prices brought a warning from <span style="font-weight: bold">American's CEO Robert Crandall.</span> "I've never invested in any airline", Crandall said. "I'm an airline manager. I don't invest in airlines. And I always said to the employees of American, <span style="font-weight: bold">'This is not an appropriate investment. It's a great place to work and it's a great company that does important work. But airlines are not an investment.'</span>" Crandall noted that since airline deregulation of the 1970s, 150 airlines had gone out of business. "A lot of people came into the airline business. Most of them promptly exited, minus their money", he said </div></div> </div></div>

Yes! that's what I am saying. Horse and buggy became unprofitable, stage coah ceased and gave way to Steam Trains. Steam Trains became unprofiable and gave way to Diesel. Steam ships gave way to Airlines.If they all start failing something better may be invented. </div></div>

X · 01-29-2010, 11:13 AM

Re: Jamaicans abroad upset at sale of Air J

there was a Jamaica Diaspora Canada ???

dis is jokes

This is where dem sick mi stoma suh much mi cant swallow..

Where were these people during the Michael Gale beatings, the Agana Barreth death, the Breaton 7 killings.. where were they for the past few decades as the PNP squandered $$$$billion$$$$$$ which has lead to where we are today??
Now them have a voice?? cause the govt have to offload an airline that they cannot afford??
Lets say by some finantial miracle the govt could keep Air Jamaica..
Suh as with any non performing investment, you will be putting in the bare minimun to eep it going.
This equals compromised maintenance.
We see that what goes up, wants to come down.. and hard..
So one of these Air J planes comes down .. hard.. taking lives and limbs.
If one of them was on a flight that caused them any loss, these same people from(whey dem call dem selves?) Jamaica Canadian Dispora would be first in line to sue the said airline they love so much and need to be ept by the govt at any cost..
Why should the govt be the one to <span style="font-style: italic">"look at using some of the fiscal power and expertise available within the Diaspora - among the three million Jamaicans who live inside and outside Jamaica and the three million who live on the island - to find a cost-effective way to keep and continue to run Air Jamaica as THE Jamaican airline."</span>
We are the ones who should be doing that.. Not the govt.

bout Jamaica Diaspora Canada

more Jamaica Diarrea Canada..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: haki</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

See the attached link to a Gleaner article headlined: "Uproar in Gordon House about Air Jamaica"

> http://go-jamaica.com/news/read_article.php?id=16425

Bravo !!!

Sharon Ffolkes' Abrahams, president of the Jamaican Diaspora Canada, has spoken forcefully against the disposition of Air Jamaica by the government of Jamaica.
Her defence of the retention of Jamaica's national airline, came during the first-ever session of the Joint Select Comittee hearing submissions from the Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board in Gordon House, Kingston, Jamaica, on Thursday (Jan 28, 2009).

Ffolkes Abrahams called the Jamaican government's plans to sell Air Jamaica to Trinidad and Tobago-based caribbean Airlines a crucial mistake with long-term consequences for Jamaica and Jamaicans in the Diaspora.

She submitted that the sale should not have been negotiated without discussion with members of the Diaspora, who she said are willing to invest in the cash-strapped airline.
She went on say that the airline should remain in Jamaican hands and implored the government to give high priority to the Pilots Association and other staffers

of the company who are seeking to acquire the airline.

A big up for saying what badly needed to be said.

This is a position with which many - I know I do personally - many, many, many Jamaicans, at home and abroad totally agree.
We have watched heart-sick, as our national airline was systematically "mashed down" by bad upper management.

We are angry spectators as the Air Jamaica staff who we now call friends because we see them so often, and who have looked after us so well over the years in Toronto, in the air and on the way back to the cold land we now call home, lose their jobs and livelihoods.

At the same time, the big dogs who are truly to blame for the millions in debt continue to pontificate and prosper and will likely find some other "big" job, while the real workers of our national airline suffer and we no longer have a Lovebird on which to fly.

Sharon's position that we need to look at this sale again reflects the view that many of us hold.
Might I suggest that the government look at using some of the fiscal power and expertise available within the Diaspora - among the three million Jamaicans who live inside and outside Jamaica and the three million who live on the island - to find a cost-effective way to keep and continue to run Air Jamaica as THE Jamaican airline.

Peace and love
Philip

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Philip Mascoll
[email protected]
Toronto: 416 465-9933
Jamaica: 876 873-3565

</div></div>

**Dr.Dudd** · 01-29-2010, 11:34 AM

That merger with Air Jamaica: a Trinidadian perspective

That merger with Air Jamaica

BY DERREN JOSEPH

Friday, January 29, 2010

IS the merger between Air Jamaica (AJ) and Caribbean Airlines (CAL) a good or a bad thing? I propose that this question is best answered by analysis of the key issues, rather than speculation.

Before I proceed, I thought I should disclose that I am in no way connected to CAL or AJ, but have previously held relatively senior positions with CAL, British Airways and Thomas Cook. So I am somewhat familiar with the travel industry, including aviation -- particularly in Western Europe and the Americas. There are five airline myths that I would like to address first. <span style="font-weight: bold">Myth No 1: The aviation industry is at the mercy of normal market forces. It is not. In my opinion, there is no airline in the "West" that does not enjoy some measure of state support or protection. Governments influence airline behaviour through a dizzying array of legislation, taxes and subsidies.

1/1

Whether it is a law in the USA mandating that an airline be 75 per cent-owned and controlled by US citizens (ask Virgin America) to operate, to landing rights, landing fees, traffic rights, restricted competition on routes, preferential slots, preferential terminals, seat guarantees, tax concessions, etc.</span> Myth No 2: The governments suddenly want to merge airlines. Again, this is wrong. As far back as Apri 1969, the Hon Kamaluddin Mohammed, the then -- Minister of West Indian Affairs, spoke about efforts "being made to have BWIA designated the regional air carrier, with participation by the other regional governments." The Caricom and Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) reports done on this are probably too numerous to mention. <span style="font-weight: bold">Myth No 3: State-owned airlines, almost by definition, cannot be run efficiently and profitably.

Obviously wrong, considering the historical performance of Aer Lingus (Ireland), Emirates (Dubai) and Singapore Airlines. Of course, I qualify this with my response to Myth No 1.</span> Regardless, CAL's on-time performance and customer satisfaction levels since its launch speak to its heading in the right direction. Myth No 4: There is no local/regional talent, and we need foreigners to do everything. LIAT's Dr Jean Holder wrote that there was no shortage of talent, but suggested that the reason behind the apparent lack of implementation of consultant recommendations lay in regional political realities. Myth <span style="font-weight: bold">No 5: Barbados doesn't have a national carrier; why should we? Dr Holder suggests that prior to 2007, BWIA operated "in many ways as the national carrier of Barbados, and under the Community of Interest Principle of 1983, also as that of other Caribbean countries".

Since 2007 (when BWIA closed), I suspect that Barbados has increased its "incentives" (see Myth No 1) to encourage increased capacity from North American and European carriers.</span> Now, regarding the merger, I have no clue what the details are, beyond the speculation in the press, but there are three reasons why I think it should be seriously considered. Reason No 1: The press has reported or speculated that to consummate the deal, there would be no need for a cash injection from CAL, and the AJ debt burden would remain with the Jamaican Government. Reason No 2: The three biggest costs for any airline are its fleet, including fuel, staff and distribution costs.

This deal, as reported, may provide the opportunity for rationalising two of these three costs.

Fleet costs would go down, once they harmonise equipment; ie, they decide to use one type of aircraft which impacts positively on maintenance costs, and allows for better cross-utilisation of crews. Distribution costs would decrease if they manage and sell all inventory from a single global distribution system. A lower cost base should benefit both shareholders (less state support needed) and consumers (both regional and international).

Reason No 3: Not only does this deal take us one step closer to thinking regionally, but it creates a mechanism for facilitating greater regional integration and development. This, of course, leads us to the biggest potential sticking point. The biggest potential obstacle to realising the full range of benefits from the reported merger would be the absence, as far as I am aware, of a single Caricom/Cariforum level aviation policy.

Such a policy would not only address technical issues and their implications for airline operation, but it would also define the role that air transportation plays in our regional socio-economic and political development. This is the context within which I see the proposed merger.

(Reprinted by kind permission of the Trinidad Guardian

**Tony_Royal** · 01-29-2010, 01:25 PM

Re: Jamaicans abroad upset at sale of Air J

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr.Dudd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Which of the examples your suggested, were discontinued before their replacement was in place??
What is your replacement for airlines?
I know......No answer.

As usual... That is what happen when we accept the pronouncements of others as gospel, without critically analysing it ourselves.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TonyRoyal</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr.Dudd</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold">So are you suggesting that because most airlines are unprofitable, they should not exist?</span>
Since your logic is that if it is unprofitable it should not be owned, by anybody then..
Incidentally if The PM ask my advice.

i would tell him to do it like they did with the Jamaica producer company.
Sell the shares to Jamaican citizens. And fully fund it with only minimal debts.
It would be profitable.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TonyRoyal</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For those who are supporting the idea of keeping AJ. If Bruce call you into his office tomorrow and hand AJ over to you. How would you turn AJ around and make it profitable? Before you answer READ the piece Below

During this time, concern over airline bankruptcies and falling stock prices brought a warning from <span style="font-weight: bold">American's CEO Robert Crandall.</span> "I've never invested in any airline", Crandall said. "I'm an airline manager. I don't invest in airlines. And I always said to the employees of American, <span style="font-weight: bold">'This is not an appropriate investment. It's a great place to work and it's a great company that does important work. But airlines are not an investment.'</span>" Crandall noted that since airline deregulation of the 1970s, 150 airlines had gone out of business. "A lot of people came into the airline business. Most of them promptly exited, minus their money", he said </div></div> </div></div>

Yes! that's what I am saying. Horse and buggy became unprofitable, stage coah ceased and gave way to Steam Trains. Steam Trains became unprofiable and gave way to Diesel. Steam ships gave way to Airlines.If they all start failing something better may be invented. </div></div> </div></div>
Doc I am saying if all the Airlines in the world start failing by not making a profit, they will be forced to change! Not getting rid of Airplanes, but changing the design to accommodate alternate fuel. They have already build and tested the nuclear and Hydrogen Airplane. An Airlines two biggest expenses are Fuel and Labor.

<span style="font-weight: bold">We have digressed; let’s get back to the TOPIC.</span> In the case of AJ, they do not have the financial muscle to survive if oil price increase and the Labor unions NEVER NEVER acted in the interest of the employees. <span style="font-weight: bold">Why should the Jamaican people bear this burden, when the money can be used to do something else.!</span>
They are lucky Bruce is a nice fellow. A Corporate Raider like me would go in and break it in pieces. Sell the Hangers, Gates, and airplanes (if they own any) and raid the Pension fund! " Gordon Gekko Style" There would be weeping and gnashing of teeth's.

**Tuff Gong** · 01-29-2010, 02:16 PM

Re: Jamaicans abroad upset at sale of Air J

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: xKs</div><div class="ubbcode-body">there was a Jamaica Diaspora Canada ???

dis is jokes

This is where dem sick mi stoma suh much mi cant swallow..

Where were these people during the Michael Gale beatings, the Agana Barreth death, the Breaton 7 killings.. where were they for the past few decades as the PNP squandered $$$$billion$$$$$$ which has lead to where we are today??
Now them have a voice?? cause the govt have to offload an airline that they cannot afford??
</div></div>

It would be nice if other than talking they put some money on the table. This thing has been unwinding for over a decade. Also as you mentioned above the so called Jamaica Diaspora have been absent on Governance and Human Rights, problems that still remain

**evanovitch** · 01-29-2010, 07:12 PM

Diaspora group backs pilots in Air Jamaica saga

Diaspora group backs pilots in Air Jamaica saga
Published: Friday | January 29, 2010

Edmond Campbell, Senior Staff Reporter
AN UNFLATTERING comment on the Government's handling of the divestment of Air Jamaica to an overseas entity by a powerful diaspora group yesterday paved the way for sharp exchanges between at least two committee members in Gordon House.

A member of the Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board called the administration's plans to divest Air Jamaica to Caribbean Airlines a "crucial mistake with long-term consequences for Jamaica and Jamaicans in the diaspora".

Batting for the acquisition of the airline by the Jamaica Airline Pilots' Association and other employees of the company, Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams, a diaspora board member, implored the administration to consider the proposal from the local group favourably.

Stressing that the airline should remain in Jamaican hands, Ffolkes Abrahams said members of the diaspora "will not stand silent and watch while our birthright is sold".

She suggested that the diaspora was not consulted on the matter and argued that Jamaicans overseas would have been willing to assist in rescuing the national carrier.

"Should the Government need funds to assist in debt reduction or funds to assist in programmes in Jamaica, then the diaspora needs to be engaged," she said.

Noting that there were three million Jamaicans in the diaspora, Ffolkes Abrahams pointed out that if financial support was sought, it could go a far way in helping the country.

"If each Jamaican (in the diaspora) gave US$100 over one year, we would have US$200 million and over 10 years US$2 billion," she added.

She said the various diplomatic missions and other financial institutions could be asked to collect the donations.

Rush to sell

Committee member Sandrea Falconer agreed with the comments of the advisory board, saying the "rush to sell it (airline) was high-handed at best".

"The Government could have engaged the Jamaican public, members of the diaspora and the staff," she argued.

She said the Jamaica Airline Pilots' Association's proposal "was not given enough of a hearing or treated properly".

Her comments drew the ire of Laurie Broderick, who accused Falconer of playing politics.

"It is unfortunate that the senator had taken on the debate in a political sense," said Broderick.

The opposition senator dismissed Broderick's assertion, charging that his comment that she injected politics into the discussion was unfortunate.

Broderick defended the Government's decision to divest the national carrier.

"Please, I find it hard to accept when it is said that as a government, we did not pay any attention to the needs of the people and we just dispassionately got rid of Air Jamaica without thought. That is quite erroneous."

Committee Chairman Dr Ronald Robinson also sought to set the record straight. He said investors were given a chance to submit bids and some were shortlisted. "I do not think that more than a year was rushing."

He said the Government could not continue to subsidise Air Jamaica at a cost of millions per day.

Committee member Anthony Hylton said the airline provided a critical link between Jamaica and the diaspora and as such, the group should have been consulted.

**evanovitch** · 01-29-2010, 07:28 PM

A matter of national pride

A matter of national pride

Friday, January 29, 2010

THERE'S an interesting cartoon in the January 18 edition of the Trinidad Guardian newspaper. It portrays a svelte female employee of Trinidad's national carrier Caribbean Airlines chiding an obese passenger -- Air Jamaica -- for being overweight. Standing in the check-in line behind the 'Ms Air Jamaica' are two male passengers, hoping aloud that she will not be bringing any of her US$900-million debt aboard.

A harmless joke?

Perhaps.

But it underscores a perspective on the sale of this 'piece of Jamaica that flies' that we think our Prime Minister Bruce Golding has not made enough of in his pronouncements on the issue.

It has to do with national pride, or in this case, lack thereof.

Yes, we take his point that it is all about the money -- which the Government does not have to subsidise the airline now.

However, we can't join him in advising the Jamaican Airline Pilots Association (JALPA) to abandon its lobby to acquire the national airline on the basis that it doesn't have the money up front.

Because we know that in everything, no matter how seemingly impossible, as long as there's the will, there's a way.

And given the importance of the national carrier to the concept of Brand Jamaica, we find worrying what appears to us to be a rather casual dismissal of JALPA's expression of interest -- however imperfect it may be at this point in time -- in acquiring the airline.

A big part of the problem is that we don't know enough about any of the proposals to acquire Air Jamaica.

And with all due respect to Mr Dennis Lalor, the chairman of the Air Jamaica Divestment Committee, his expressed expectation that the current negotiations with Caribbean Airlines Limited will result in a deal by March 31, is by no means reassuring.

For we need look no further than what happened in the case of the Government's attempts to divest the Frome sugar factory for confirmation that there's many a slip betwixt cup and lip, especially within the context of the current global economic depression.

What if, for any reason, the proposed deal with Caribbean Airlines should fall through?

Will the Government be able to maintain its cash-up-front position then?

It is our understanding that there is a wealth of opportunity, albeit ill-defined, within the Jamaican Diaspora.

Don't we owe it to ourselves to explore its potential?

According to the Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board, <span style="font-weight: bold">members of the Diaspora are willing to invest cash in Air Jamaica</span>. We cannot imagine that the prime minister has anything against their money. So if they really have a viable proposal that can stand, the time to come forward with it is now.

**Tuff Gong** · 01-29-2010, 07:57 PM

Re: A matter of national pride

The National Pride argument is over our Economic Directions for the last few decades have been predicated on The Fresh Prince; Fly De Gate and Let in the Pirate; Black Man Time Now, More man have Gyal, more man have cyar.
Nothing about development, industry and commerce which was the only way to keep up the payments on a loss making venture such as Air Joke.

X · 01-29-2010, 07:58 PM

Re: A matter of national pride

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">According to the Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board, <span style="font-weight: bold">members of the Diaspora are willing to invest cash in Air Jamaica</span>. We cannot imagine that the prime minister has anything against their money. So if they really have a viable proposal that can stand, the time to come forward with it is now.
</div></div>

Bull-sssht!

Ok.. lets see the proposal and evidence of the cash?

See its pretty cold here in Canada this week enuh.. Jamaicans at home need fi understand that the utterances from Jamaican/Canadians at this time of the year has to be taken wid a grain a salt.
At this time a di year the ice sekkle pon dem brain, and dem become dillusional..

The skitzophrenia manifest itself in many ways.. some create teasing/tortuous Jamaican music video threads on certain websites , while some write letters to govts claiming dat dem waa buy wan airline

**evanovitch** · 01-29-2010, 08:12 PM

Re: A matter of national pride

Wat surprises me here in Canada is dat given the supposed 'quality' Jcans who took flight to here in the 70s, the pronouncements don't seem to come from dere circle ..at least the public ones r am I not reading 'their' outlets?

**evanovitch** · 02-05-2010, 04:38 AM

The Air Jamaica issue - more than sentiment

The Air Jamaica issue - more than sentiment
Published: Friday | February 5, 2010

Alfred Sangster, Contributor

The Gleaner editorial of Tuesday, February 2, 'Beyond sentiment at Air Jamaica', suggested public support for the Air Jamaica Pilots and Staff (JALPA) offer to purchase the cash-strapped airline was based largely on sentiment rather than substance.

The substantive and inescapable reality is that the airline is in debt and has accumulated significant losses over the years, so that the logic of the International Monetary Fund conditionalities are, in fact, inescapable. We must, therefore, turn to the divestment option. Here is where the issue of sentiment comes into play.

The divestment committee has been at the process, assisted at one stage by international experts for a period of months, if not years. What do they have to show for that process? Has there been a cost or are those persons serving for free?

Certainly, the initial offer of 'interest', followed later by a firm offer to 'purchase' the airline by the JALPA group has been treated with arrogant dismissiveness. The divestment committee seems to have persuaded the prime minister to take a similar stance. Let's examine the balance sheet of the issue with the AJAP offer and the divestment process in trying to make the best deal for the Government and Jamaica.

<span style="font-weight: bold">The Overseas Offers</span>

Offer by an American airline company. This was a small amount, the debt remains with Jamaica, plus redundancy payments. This offer is no longer being considered

Offer to partner or buy out by Caribbean Airlines of Trinidad and Tobago. Details unclear but the Trinidad and Tobago Opposition is dead against the deal. Debt and redundancy remain.

<span style="font-weight: bold">The alternative jalpa offer</span>

The alternative offer by the (JALPA) group to purchase the airline.

The group should match any cash offer made by the Trinidad government. They bring the following additional significant positives to the table (some of the items listed below are 'cash or kind' types of items. Others are 'goodwill', which is recognised as a significant element in any balance sheet):

Redundancy costs of hundreds of millions of dollars are likely to be minimal.

Nearly 1,000 jobs would be saved with an associated estimated circle of family influence of more than 5,000 persons. The associated income generated would also help the local economy.

Taxes paid by employees would remain in Jamaica.

AJAP would bring to the table networks of agents and interested support groups which are already in place and these would not need to be cultivated from scratch.

The new team would bring a level of commitment to the future of the airline and Jamaica's reputation that could not be brought by any outside interest. A great deal of the' baggage' that Air Jamaica carried with special interest groups would no longer be available to cost the airline.

The reports are that Air Jamaica is currently profitable and, clearly, with a lean and committed group of people, the turnaround is really possible.

A financial study some years ago indicated that Air Jamaica brought important additional benefits to the tourism industry. The minister should support the local group

The diaspora groups have made it abundantly clear that they want no part in any foreign investment.

Local sentiment is extensively displayed in favour of JALPA and the unions have come out in support of the local group..

The former chairman of Air Jamaica supports the process.

There are cases of ownership buy-outs by employees that have been successful, for e.g. the former Government Printing Office, now Jamaica Printing Services (1992).

<span style="font-weight: bold">The pilots and staff of Air Jamaica need to continue to pressure Government and the prime minister to act in the long-term national interest of Jamaica. They have justice and a groundswell of goodwill on their side.</span>

<span style="font-style: italic">A. W. Sangster is a retired educator. Feedback may be sent to [email protected].</span>

**evanovitch** · 02-05-2010, 04:40 AM

Grave insult:Open letter to the nation of Trinidad and Tobag

Grave insult
Published: Friday | February 5, 2010

<span style="font-weight: bold">Open letter to the nation of Trinidad and Tobago from a Jamaican.</span>

It is general knowledge that Caribbean Airlines is in negotiations with the Air Jamaica Divestment Board regarding the 'handover' of Air Jamaica to Caribbean Airlines. This letter is written to you, Prime Minister Manning and the people of Trinidad and Tobago, on behalf of the great majority of the citizens of Jamaica in Jamaica, as well as the Jamaican diaspora throughout the world.

We are asking that the present negotiation with the Government of Jamaica be terminated to enable us to purchase the airline. We believe that the planned divestment to Caribbean Airlines, when there are Jamaicans who have the knowledge, capacity and capability of taking control of the airline at this time, is a grave insult to our people.

While we understand the need and vision for one Caribbean airline, we do not believe that the takeover of Air Jamaica in the current manner will allow that dream to be realised, and if continued, will ultimately erode the relationship between our two Caribbean nations. More important, this will prove to be an economic disaster to Caribbean Airlines. We promise that, and the Jamaican diaspora has also indicated no support for that operation.

Show of respect

We understand that on two previous occasions Air Jamaica began operations to Trinidad, spending and investing heavily on the start-up of that route, only to have it discontinued at the request of the former BWIA and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago at that time. This clearly showed Trinidad's desire to protect their national airline. The fact that Air Jamaica complied with your request, and ceased operation to Trinidad, showed Jamaica and Air Jamaica's respect for your national concern. As Jamaicans, we request and expect no less from the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago at this time.

Economic disadvantages

The purpose of this letter is not to outline the many economic disadvantages to Jamaica if Caribbean Airlines pursues this course of action, rather, the purpose of this letter is to request that you respect the wishes of the Jamaican people and ensure that Caribbean Airlines withdraws its bid for Air Jamaica and so facilitate the rights of Jamaicans to own their Airline.

A large contingent of us have decided that we will be seeking legal counsel, even to the extent of the Privy Council, aided by our diaspora in Britain, to ensure that the needs of Jamaica and the Jamaica people are not violated in this matter.

We look forward and anticipate the full cooperation of the people of Trinidad and Tobago in this matter.

I am, etc.,

JAMAICAN

**barosa** · 02-05-2010, 06:45 PM

Re: Grave insult:Open letter to the nation of Trinidad and Tobag

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The purpose of this letter is not to outline the many economic disadvantages to Jamaica if Caribbean Airlines pursues this course of action, rather, the purpose of this letter is to request that you respect the wishes of the Jamaican people and ensure that Caribbean Airlines withdraws its bid for Air Jamaica and so facilitate the rights of Jamaicans to own their Airline.

A large contingent of us have decided that we will be seeking legal counsel, even to the extent of the Privy Council, aided by our diaspora in Britain, to ensure that the needs of Jamaica and the Jamaica people are not violated in this matter.

We look forward and anticipate the full cooperation of the people of Trinidad and Tobago in this matter.</div></div>
A nice letter by "Jamaican", but I believe it will fall on deaf ears, and more likely the ears of our Govt already bent on dealing with the Trinis/Caribbean Airlines. Our guys want to give away what's left of it to the Trinis. As it stands, only massive infusion of cash from a benevolent backer of our Govt could save it for Jamaica but such individuals or group is only a dream.

While I'm saying all this, our PM is in China rubbing shoulders with their Govt officials. Would he have been smart to go there with an offer giving them what's left of Air Jam for some backing? ~ What do we care if hordes of Chinese become our main tourists, so long as the Airline carries the Air Jam Logo and Emblem?... That's just another dream but what else can we do? Almost 20 years of ineffective management has brought us to this point... The Diaspora and others are kinda late on track 9, plus the general malaise of the Economic climate for Airlines does not help...
___________________________

"At a time of universal deceit," wrote George Orwell, "telling the truth is a revolutionary act."

**evanovitch** · 02-05-2010, 06:51 PM

Re: Grave insult:Open letter to the nation of Trinidad and Tobag

u need to read di post down in Politricks dat hint at di deals he has made....di Chinese coming bak n even di homegrown ones gwine to get a run fi dem money from dese new incomers....

dem gwine sweep dem monopoly pon commercial sector BIG time

X · 02-05-2010, 07:29 PM

Re: Grave insult:Open letter to the nation of Trinidad and Tobag

who is this comedian??
its amazing how these people jump out the woodwork for to oppose the sale of a non performing airline that if not sold will be liquidated anyhow...
.. and whats even funnier, they claim to speak on behalf of Jamaicans
threating to goto the privy councill regarding the matter
Now anywone that thinks that the Privy council has the time or eeven authority or EVEN the mandate to deal with this kinda matter is simply dillusional.
While I too would have loved to see a successfull Air J remain in the hands of ethical Jamaicans, I cant help but wonder where was this kinda uproar on matters that affected the people?
The corruption, the abuse, the murders? Did they go to the privy councill for Agana barette, Breaton Seven, Michael Gayle, Krawle ???

wonder if the bite is as much that Air J is being sold as much as its because its being sold to Trinidad?
Wonder too if the uproar would be as much if it was being sold to say a Virgin or a Jetblue or an american entity.

aie sah.. we really something else.
Even if the sale falls thru, the airline will be liquadated UNLESS theses blowhards come up wid some real $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and a plan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Grave insult
Published: Friday | February 5, 2010

<span style="font-weight: bold">Open letter to the nation of Trinidad and Tobago from a Jamaican.</span>

It is general knowledge that Caribbean Airlines is in negotiations with the Air Jamaica Divestment Board regarding the 'handover' of Air Jamaica to Caribbean Airlines. This letter is written to you, Prime Minister Manning and the people of Trinidad and Tobago, on behalf of the great majority of the citizens of Jamaica in Jamaica, as well as the Jamaican diaspora throughout the world.

We are asking that the present negotiation with the Government of Jamaica be terminated to enable us to purchase the airline. We believe that the planned divestment to Caribbean Airlines, when there are Jamaicans who have the knowledge, capacity and capability of taking control of the airline at this time, is a grave insult to our people.

While we understand the need and vision for one Caribbean airline, we do not believe that the takeover of Air Jamaica in the current manner will allow that dream to be realised, and if continued, will ultimately erode the relationship between our two Caribbean nations. More important, this will prove to be an economic disaster to Caribbean Airlines. We promise that, and the Jamaican diaspora has also indicated no support for that operation.

Show of respect

We understand that on two previous occasions Air Jamaica began operations to Trinidad, spending and investing heavily on the start-up of that route, only to have it discontinued at the request of the former BWIA and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago at that time. This clearly showed Trinidad's desire to protect their national airline. The fact that Air Jamaica complied with your request, and ceased operation to Trinidad, showed Jamaica and Air Jamaica's respect for your national concern. As Jamaicans, we request and expect no less from the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago at this time.

Economic disadvantages

The purpose of this letter is not to outline the many economic disadvantages to Jamaica if Caribbean Airlines pursues this course of action, rather, the purpose of this letter is to request that you respect the wishes of the Jamaican people and ensure that Caribbean Airlines withdraws its bid for Air Jamaica and so facilitate the rights of Jamaicans to own their Airline.

A large contingent of us have decided that we will be seeking legal counsel, even to the extent of the Privy Council, aided by our diaspora in Britain, to ensure that the needs of Jamaica and the Jamaica people are not violated in this matter.

<span style="font-weight: bold">We look forward and anticipate the full cooperation of the people of Trinidad and Tobago in this matter. </span>

I am, etc.,

JAMAICAN
</div></div>

Jamaicans abroad upset at sale of Air J

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

ads