Does Jamaica need a national airline?

[BlackCryptoKnight]

With troubles currently affecting Air Jamaica, the question of whether Jamaica needs a national airline is being asked. Is a national airline necessary? Why or why not?

[Chicokid]

Correction, a regional air carrier is needed. All of the Caribbean airlines Liat, Caribbean Star, BWIA and Air Jamaica all in some financial trouble.

I think they all should merge and form a single Caribbean carrier.

[Bahama Mama]

Correction, a regional air carrier is needed. All of the Caribbean airlines Liat, Caribbean Star, BWIA and Air Jamaica all in some financial trouble.

I think they all should merge and form a single Caribbean carrier.

That is a great idea Chico. I know that Bahamas Air has been in some financial trouble since I was wee high, and they have been talking about privatisation for years. However where would this regional airline be based? As well many people see a national airline as a national symbol, like a flag or a national anthem. Some may not want to forfeit that. Though it would be more finacially sound to merge, becasue many of the small islands cannot afford to carry the cost of a national aitline, as well so many of the islands are so close together it would make alot of sense. How does CARIB AIR sound :D

[BlackCryptoKnight]

What difference would it make whether or not there were national or regional airlines? Would the tourist industry really suffer if there were nothing like that in place?

[Bahama Mama]

What difference would it make whether or not there were national or regional airlines? Would the tourist industry really suffer if there were nothing like that in place?

Wouldnt it be more cost effective for tourist to travel a regional airline than a North American or European carrier? As well wouldnt it be more cost effective for domestic tourists, ie. persons in other parts of the region travelling to other islands?

[Puffy]

Jamaica does not have the proper infurstruture, or a good economy for its own airline

[Master E]

Jamaica does not have the proper infurstruture, or a good economy for its own airline
Mi bexx seh yuh seh such a ting :icon_redf
If Jamaica dose not have its own airline then Tourism is going to decrease therefore foreign exchange is also going to decrease after which the prices will go up

[nuhsenutten]

yow puffy the jamaican economy is based firmly on tourism if we loose air jamaica its onloy going to get worst from there

[Master E]

I Say rename the Air Jamaica to something like Reggae air zeen as how People love the whole Bob Marley Hype

[AngelsKiss]

It is not only Air Jamaica that is having problems, airlines all over the world are having financial troubles.

I like travelling Air Jamaica and do so every chance I get therefore I would want to see Air Jamaica continue, however sentiments alone shouldn't be the deciding factor. Granted I feel safe travelling Air Jamaica than I do other airlines. AirJ does have a good track record and I like the fact that they lenient most of the times, unlike many of the other airlines.

[Chicokid]

yow puffy the jamaican economy is based firmly on tourism if we loose air jamaica its onloy going to get worst from there

Yes and most of our Caribbean countries too. Did you know that Air Jamaica suspended all flights to St. Lucia, Grenada and Barbados for the entire month of March. However flights to Grenada and Barbados resumed with St. Lucia discontinued because alot of international airlines serve that country.

It is not only Air Jamaica that is having problems, airlines all over the world are having financial troubles.

Very true. Some of these are the after effects of 9/11 in the USA as well as high terrorists threats. Also the rising costs of fuel as a big impact as well.

[ramesh]

Personally I believe if they stop overcharging and give decent food, more people would fly. Perhaps that is an oversimplification?

[Manu]

Ok...being the premiere country of the Caribbean I think it would be in our best interest to have one. Not just from the point of view of being proud but as matter of respresentation of the caribbean community. How we can go about that now...well thats a different ball game all together. I think that we need more cheaper alternatives and incentives. Other private sector entitites can become involved but then again, might just be one big advertising campaigne. I really can't think of a way to save our Airline but all i can say that is if we lose it, we lose alot of money and we don't have any already!

[Bahama Mama]

Ok...being the premiere country of the Caribbean I think it would be in our best interest to have one. Not just from the point of view of being proud but as matter of respresentation of the caribbean community. How we can go about that now...well thats a different ball game all together. I think that we need more cheaper alternatives and incentives. Other private sector entitites can become involved but then again, might just be one big advertising campaigne. I really can't think of a way to save our Airline but all i can say that is if we lose it, we lose alot of money and we don't have any already!


Well in that case we had better call it Caribbean Air instead of Air Jamaica if you want to rep the entire Carribean community, beacause Air Jamaica reps Jamaica, not the entire Caribbean. As well, all Caribbean/West Indian countries are premiere because we all have something uniquely different to offer tourists and visitors.

[Manu]

Well....since OUR government is the one financing it(or lack thereof) there is NO contribution from the caribbean community at large so why call it Carib Air...or whatever? But now that you mention that, why can't they do that? Instead of Trini and us struggling to have a national carrier, why not have a caribbean one? Especailly since we're going into the CSME???? What are the drawbacks?


Also I'm in no way discrediting other caribbean countries. I just said that Jamaica is the largest English speaking country in the caribbean and is usually more identifiable on an international scale!

[Bahama Mama]

Well....since OUR government is the one financing it(or lack thereof) there is NO contribution from the caribbean community at large so why call it Carib Air...or whatever? But now that you mention that, why can't they do that? Instead of Trini and us struggling to have a national carrier, why not have a caribbean one? Especailly since we're going into the CSME???? What are the drawbacks?


Also I'm in no way discrediting other caribbean countries. I just said that Jamaica is the largest English speaking country in the caribbean and is usually more identifiable on an international scale!


Point taken. A national air carrier is like a national flag or national anthem, hence there would be no regional representation. Many individuals would rather just bear the burden of a national carrier for the price of national pride, others probably would see it as a waste of money and a strain on national resources, depends on the point of view. A regional air carrier is something that I mentioned a few post ago, but no one replied to it, so I guess it was not seen as a good idea. It could be good financially, and offer an alternative to the more costlier N. American and Europen carriers, as well it could boost regional tourism. But at the same time, where would this regional airline be based. Size, ability to house a fleet, etc. etc.has to be taken into consideration. How will it be managed?

[Manu]

Hmm....well first and foremost.....they will have to be able to accept that the airline fair is tritcly non-profit. It goes directly into maintaining the airline. This is a cost effective way of looking at it as no money would me spent on itself. The machine is just kept oily and left to run. The profits would come in from the tourists. When we can afford to make prices competitively cheaper than AA we can get a huge bite out of the market. The more I think about it, the more I see it as a viable option. Everyone contributes a little to the start-up....watch it grow and then we all benefit from it over time. The fleet can be housed at different countries. No one country. Some in Trini. Some in Jamaica. Some in Turks & Caicos. If the caribbean ever unites, we will give those developed country a run for their money.

[Bahama Mama]

Hmm....well first and foremost.....they will have to be able to accept that the airline fair is tritcly non-profit. It goes directly into maintaining the airline. This is a cost effective way of looking at it as no money would me spent on itself. The machine is just kept oily and left to run. The profits would come in from the tourists. When we can afford to make prices competitively cheaper than AA we can get a huge bite out of the market. The more I think about it, the more I see it as a viable option. Everyone contributes a little to the start-up....watch it grow and then we all benefit from it over time. The fleet can be housed at different countries. No one country. Some in Trini. Some in Jamaica. Some in Turks & Caicos. If the caribbean ever unites, we will give those developed country a run for their money.


Trinidad and Jamaica sounds good. T & C may be a bit too small, but it is good to spread the fleets out around the region. I am thinking of Cuba, just for its massive size. but the US trade embargo may be setback. Peurto Rico is a US territory so that may not work.

[Manu]

Trinidad and Jamaica sounds good. T & C may be a bit too small, but it is good to spread the fleets out around the region. I am thinking of Cuba, just for its massive size. but the US trade embargo may be setback. Peurto Rico is a US territory so that may not work.

Didn't Turks & Caicos keep some of the fleet during Ivan? We could build a Hangar in Barbados. Highly doubt we need much hangar space as the probability that all planes will be grounded at the same time is kinda low(911 already exploited that one out of a million chance :icon_mrgr)

[Master E]

Personally I like Air Jamaica and to see the National Bird wings get clipped... :icon_cry:
If I had the cash I would bail it out and remove it from the corrupted claws of this country's government

[BlackCryptoKnight]

Just heard on the news that in about six montsh, Air Jamica will be facing competition from Spirit Air (http://www.spiritair.com/welcome.aspx) who will be offering low cost flights out of Jamaica (US$99 to Florida). Considering that Air J flights cost US$300+ they're gonna have to readjust their strategy just to stay competitive.

One thing... for US$99 they ain't providing no champaigne or hot meal. Only snacks on business class...

[Manu]

Oh well...the flight to miami is about 1 hour and 10 minutes to under 2 hours....so i can do without food for the trip...lol....well i guess it's the end of an era for Air J.....sad....very sad!

[Master E]

Just heard on the news that in about six montsh, Air Jamica will be facing competition from Spirit Air (http://www.spiritair.com/welcome.aspx) who will be offering low cost flights out of Jamaica (US$99 to Florida). Considering that Air J flights cost US$300+ they're gonna have to readjust their strategy just to stay competitive.

One thing... for US$99 they ain't providing no champaigne or hot meal. Only snacks on business class...
All Jamaica hvae to do is just Charge de "a lil extra" fi enter wi air space simple

[Master E]

And why would the Government try to save our bird while alowing another bird to lay its eggs in our birds nest

[Manu]

More money son.....Air J is a sinking ship. They get money for planes landing at our airport. So thats money without spending. You can't tax our airspace. Suppose them start tax us????

[dtgo]

And why would the Government try to save our bird while alowing another bird to lay its eggs in our birds nest


this a mi new chat "ONLY IN JAMDUNG" :D

THEM FOOLISHNESS YA ONLY happen ya so

[Chris]

And why would the Government try to save our bird while alowing another bird to lay its eggs in our birds nestthe Gov't realises that they can't rely on Air Ja and AA to bring in the tourists. The more airlines bringing in tourists at lower fares will increase tourism in the country.

All I know if that Spirit's entry into the market will almost seal the coffin for Air Ja, but at the same time provide more economical options for the consumers.

[dtgo]

the Gov't realises that they can't rely on Air Ja and AA to bring in the tourists. The more airlines bringing in tourists at lower fares will increase tourism in the country.

All I know if that Spirit's entry into the market will almost seal the coffin for Air Ja, but at the same time provide more economical options for the consumers.


that makes alot of sense :icon_idea