Jamaicans abroad upset at sale of Air J

[Tuff Gong]

Re: .. Tourism (and buddy passes) bankrupted Air J..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Humano</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The writer said the proposed merger had nothing to do with the airline, but he/she didn't say what. </div></div>

I wish he had told us because I suspected as much myself, but I don't have the facts, except that Mr. Manning has in the past helped out other Jamaican Prime Ministers with paper agreements although this one seems a little more than that.

[barosa]

Re: .. Tourism (and buddy passes) bankrupted Air J..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Twiney</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I remember listening to a talk show a few years ago when mi couldnt sleep at nite and this employee talk bout how superclubs basically raped airjamaica with the sale of vacation packages. <span style="font-weight: bold">So sad that the air line has suffered because it has been taken advantage of by &quot;Jamaicans&quot;</span> </div></div>
It's funny that your last sentence seems more to the point why AJ has failed. One thing strike me from reading the the piece, is that the Trinidadian's handling of CAL are more fiscally responsible than our own &quot;clowns&quot;
_________________________

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

[evanovitch]

Trini opposition groups could jeopardize Air Jamaica sale

Trinidadian opposition groups could jeopardize Air Jamaica sale
Friday, 26 February 2010

New questions are being raised about the Government's plan to divest Air Jamaica following reports that opposition groups in Trinidad are planning to seek an injunction barring Caribbean Airlines from taking over the entity.

It is reported that legal proceedings could begin as early as next week.

There is growing opposition in the twin island republic to the impending deal for Caribbean Airlines to acquire Jamaica's debt ridden national airline.

Legal red tape

Attorney-at-law, Bert Samuels, says if an injunction is indeed sought, it will have implications for the Jamaican Government's timetable to place Air Jamaica in private hands.

&quot;One has to bear in mind that an injunction is for normally 14 to 21 days. What would happen to our negotiations, it is better we put them on hold because if the purchaser is being prohibited then it means that we may be blown out of the field which could impact negatively on us wanting to sell them this airline,&quot; Mr. Samuels said.

Based on a commitment the Bruce Golding administration has given the International Monetary Fund, Air Jamaica has to be sold by the middle of this year failing which the airline will be closed.

Ticket office closes

Meanwhile, the winding up of Air Jamaica's operations will enter another phase Friday.

The airline's ticket office in New Kingston will officially close its doors at the end of business on Friday afternoon.

Services will now be offered by telephone at Air Jamaica's Reservations Centre, or at the Ticket Office at the Norman Manley International Airport.

Ticket purchases can also be done via the website AirJamaica.com.

Air Jamaica's President and CEO, Bruce Nobles says the closure of the New Kingston office will not cause much dislocation as most airline tickets are purchased at AirJamaica.com or through travel agencies.

Displaced

And the National Workers Union says it expects that the Air Jamaica employees displaced by Friday's ticket office closure will be transferred to other departments at the airline.

NWU Vice President, Granville Valentine, says the union will not accept any proposal from the management for the workers to be laid off.

&quot;These workers will be transferred to other locations mainly at the Harbour Street headquarters and possibly at the Norman Manley International Airport the function will definitely be transferred to both locations. We basically said to management that we need to sit down to ensure that all the workers are treated fairly and to look at what steps need to be taken to move forward,&quot; Mr. Valentine said.

[evanovitch]

Former airline executive warns T&amp;T against Air J acquisition


A former senior executive at the now defunct BWIA believes the Patrick Manning administration is making a big mistake by facilitating the proposed takeover of Air Jamaica by Caribbean Airlines Limited.

Conrad Aleong, who was the Chief Executive Officer of BWIA, believes the Trinidad and Tobago Government should stay clear of Jamaica's national air carrier as the deal could have serious financial repercussions for the twin island republic.

Mr. Aleong, who has nearly 30 years experience in airline operations, says among other things the industry is still in deep trouble because of the global slowdown and the resulting decrease in travellers.

Speaking in an interview with Trinidad's Guardian newspaper, the former BWIA boss also pointed to several countries getting rid of their national airlines for financial reasons.

Mr. Aleong believes Trinidad should focus on effectively managing Caribbean Airlines instead of taking on the financially troubled Air Jamaica which has racked up billions of dollars in losses.

He has warned that even if Air Jamaica's debts are written off it would still be a huge risk to acquire the entity as Caribbean Airlines will be required to take on other burdensome obligations including its reservation system.

The former airline chief has also raised concerns about Air Jamaica aircraft lease agreement which he says might be too expensive to cancel.

[RichD]

Re: Trini opposition groups could jeopardize Air Jamaica sale

I wonder if the pilots have their financing in order

[mountaingal]

Re: Trini opposition groups could jeopardize Air Jamaica sale

was there another discussion (not that really long one) that summarized why Trinis oppose the deal?

[mountaingal]

Re: Trini opposition groups could jeopardize Air Jamaica sale

i mean, i thought the deal was favourable to Tdad, given that them no get the debt and ting.

[evanovitch]

RichD merge dis wid di odda one so MG can search fi har ansa

tonx

[evanovitch]

MGee read dis from di Trini Guardian, the people's responses

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MGee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">was there another discussion (not that really long one) that summarized why Trinis oppose the deal? </div></div>

http://guardian.co.tt/business/business/2010/02/12/air-jamaica-plane-sale-settle-us-irs-debt

[mountaingal]

Re: RichD merge dis wid di odda one so MG can search fi har ansa

a wa u a do vannie? fore u help mi out and gi mi ansa... cha.

[evanovitch]

Re: RichD merge dis wid di odda one so MG can search fi har ansa

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MGee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">a wa u a do vannie? fore u help mi out and gi mi ansa... cha. </div></div>

u bin gawn fi awile dont...di helpful Vannie is no more..dem wipe it out... welcome bak btw...read di Trini people response in dat Guardian article...dem still no fi it atall atall atall

[mountaingal]

Re: MGee read dis from di Trini Guardian, the people's responses

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MGee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">was there another discussion (not that really long one) that summarized why Trinis oppose the deal? </div></div>

http://guardian.co.tt/business/busin...le-us-irs-debt </div></div>

sorry vannie, mi cross post. thanks for the link.

i actually was following that long thread and couldn't recall reading why the Trinis never like it.

i'm taking it has something to do with this part of the link u posted:
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">”point to the unlikelihood that Air Jamaica, given the size of its current and potential operations, can be profitable as a stand-alone airline.” “Its overheads, even after rationalisation, are too great and its most optimistic projected revenues too small to assure a profit,”he said</div></div>

but if the owners of CAL decide it's worth the business risk, i guess after doing all dem analysis, what left for the opposition fi hole on pon and oppose the sale? dat part mi no get still.

[mountaingal]

Re: RichD merge dis wid di odda one so MG can search fi har ansa

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MGee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">a wa u a do vannie? fore u help mi out and gi mi ansa... cha. </div></div>

u bin gawn fi awile dont...di helpful Vannie is no more..dem wipe it out... welcome bak btw...read di Trini people response in dat Guardian article...dem still no fi it atall atall atall </div></div>

okay juss notice di comment section. mi gan read. yes, been a bit mia lately, work an ting.

[evanovitch]

Re: MGee read dis from di Trini Guardian, the people's responses

as a Trini said,wen Air Jam is no more, di routes will be up fi grab widdout paying all dat money...

[RichD]

Re: MGee read dis from di Trini Guardian, the people's responses

was that the right one?