Government considers partnership deal to rescue Air J

[Lazie]

Discussions are set to get underway next week with an international investment firm on a possible partnership deal with Air Jamaica.

A team from the Stanford Financial Group, which has investments worldwide, is expected in Jamaica on Monday for talks with the Government.

The Stanford Group's core businesses are private wealth management and investment banking for institutions as well as emerging growth companies.

RJR News has been informed that the Government has also made overtures to air carriers LanChile and Hawaiian Airlines to enter into a partnership with Air Jamaica.

The Government has stated its intention to place the financially troubled Air Jamaica into private sector ownership as early as possible.

On Monday, Prime Minister Bruce Golding instructed that Ministerial responsibility for Air Jamaica be transferred from the Ministry of Transport to the Ministry of Finance.

The Finance Ministry was responsible for the airline under the former Government.

RJR News understands that the new Board of Air Jamaica has started to streamline the airline's operations by reducing the management team.

http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/2761/52/

[Willi]

What about TACA, the Central American airline alliance?

[Karl]

Is this the start of divestment of Air Jamaica to interests outside of the island?

[Willi]

Well they have been mooting this for months now, so I guess so...

[Hortical]

Is this the start of divestment of Air Jamaica to interests outside of the island?

Air Jamaica can not continue to be a bottomless pit for taxpayers. Mi nuh care if dem even sign a partnership with Snoop to run the airline and reduce the burden on taxpayers.

[Mosiah]

Well they have been mooting this for months now, so I guess so...