DAVIE – Jamaica’s national carrier is facing serious challenges to its very survival even as the airline celebrates forty years of service to the world. As is the nature of Jamaicans in general, those who planned air Jamaica had big dreams which have essentially come through. Even at its worst this airline has been the pride and joy of the vast majority of Jamaicans.
Even when the airline was abused by a variety of people from management down to those who will fly with no other airline if they can help it, it has survived. In an interesting report of about three years ago, one south Florida newspaper noted that it had never seen an entity that was as criticized as air Jamaica and yet is as loved at the same time.
There in lies the interesting nature of this airline and its relationship with Jamaicans.
This airline is of critical importance however, as one academic has urged the country to put a value on the airline that is not merely whether it loses money on operations or how it deals even with staff. He has urged that the intangibles like how much business the airlines transfers into and out of the country, the value, sometimes monetary, of Jamaicans who travel into the country and spend money earned overseas, ought to be included in the mix.
In reality, the overall value of air Jamaica has never been quantified of for that matter appreciated. Whatever is to happen regarding the sale of air Jamaica, the support the airline saw in a church service yesterday is heartwarming and may even prove encouraging for the airline that could use some moral support.
Winston Barnes
Host – “Open Mic” WAVS 1170AM
Voice your opinion on “Open Mic” with Winston Barnes daily on WAVS 1170AM or listen on-line www.wavs1170am.com
