Movement is afoot by a group of entrepreneurs to establish a new low-cost Caribbean carrier headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica.
According to widespread reports in the Caribbean, the company, dubbed Airone Ventures, has filed an application with the Jamaican CAA. It wants to offer non-stop service to the Caribbean, Latin America and the USA using a fleet of Boeing 737-300 aircraft. The carrier expects to launch operations by mid-2008.
“We have commenced a recruitment drive and will be employing over 200 persons initially during the coming months. We are looking for bright, energetic, dynamic Jamaicans in positions ranging from management to cabin crew,” group head representative Ian Burns is quoted as telling the Jamaica Observer.
Airone would pose direct competition to Jamaica’s long-struggling national carrier, Air Jamaica. News of the planned start-up’s strategy comes on the heels of the Jamaican Government’s confirmation that it intends to divest Air Jamaica within 16 months.
In a recent address hosted by the Jamaica Money Market Brokers in Kingston, Senator Don Wehby, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Finance, said: “We hope to have restructured and divested Air Jamaica, such that it is no longer a strain on the budget by the latest March 2009.”
Air Jamaica’s all-Airbus fleet currently comprises A320s, A321s and a single A340, according to Flight’s ACAS database. The carrier ceased its A340 service to London Heathrow in October.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
