AIR Jamaica could be forced to shut down prematurely, leaving a major gap
in air seats to the island, if the United States Department of Transportation
(DOT) turns down an urgent request the national airline was making.
On March 24, the airline wrote to the DOT asking for permission to continue
to operate on the terms of its existing authority during the six-to-12-month
transition period expected under the divestment agreement with Caribbean
Airlines Limited (CAL), which is to take effect on April 12, 2010.
Failing that permission, the airline is asking the Americans for an urgent waiver
of the DOT’s standard ownership and control policy, in order for it to maintain
services for the one-year period under its Transitional Services Agreement (TSA)
with Caribbean Airlines.
It was not immediately clear how the US would react, given the stand-off
between Kingston and Washington over the stalled extradition of Tivoli
Gardens strongman, Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
The Bruce Golding Government said it would not bow to US demands for
Coke whom they want to face trial on gun and drug-trafficking charges.
Jamaica said the US evidence against Coke was obtained in breach of
his constitutional rights.
The Jamaica Airline Pilots Association (JALPA) said that it was also concerned
about the statement made earlier this week that the services of employees
of Air Jamaica would be terminated as of April 12. The memo was issued to
staffers by the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Bruce Nobles.