Caribbean Airlines could buy Air Jamaica

Prime Minister Bruce Golding said discussions with Trinidad and Tobago’s Caribbean Airlines for the sale of Air Jamaica will reopen once the exclusivity agreement with the second bidder expires.(Photo: Caribbean Airlines)

KINGSTON, Jamaica, December 21, 2009 – Jamaica’s national carrier, which is being sold by the government, could still end up in Caribbean hands.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding said discussions with Trinidad and Tobago’s Caribbean Airlines for the sale of Air Jamaica will reopen once the exclusivity agreement with the second bidder expires.

"Not having been able to arrive at an agreement that we felt was acceptable to Jamaicans, we indicated to Caribbean Airlines that we were open to discussions,” he said.

"I flew to Trinidad and met with the team that was there. Prime Minister Manning was not there because he is in Copenhagen. He and I have been on the phone repeatedly over the last few days discussing the matter and the team that I met with yesterday was fully authorized by him to pursue those discussions and to give us indications as to what they're proposals are," Golding explained.

He said he was satisfied, based on discussion held last week, that there is a full appreciation for Jamaica’s interest.

“I'm hoping that we may be able to arrive at an agreement that would relieve Jamaica of any further financial responsibilities and preserve and protect those critical roots that are vital to us as a tourist destination and for our Jamaicans living or travelling abroad. I am satisfied based on the assurances given that that is possible,” the Prime Minister said.

He added that in privatizing Air Jamaica, the government should not incur any liabilities going forward.