The Jamaica Airline Pilots Association is expressing confidence that it will be able to successfully operate the national airline if a proposal to be resubmitted to the government is accepted.
However, it is a race against time as the government is currently in talks with the Trinidad - based Caribbean Airlines and the Finance Minister has indicated that a deal is likely to be reached soon for the sale of Air Jamaica.
The pilots association which is representing the airline’s staff is adamant that it will not give up on their bid for the cash strapped carrier.
The pilots are currently working with local and international based equity partners to identify the funds needed to acquire the lovebird.
A deal with Caribbean Airlines will grant Air Jamaica equity, but the Jamaican Government will have to find $27 billion in this year's budget to meet debt and other costs, including the redundancy of hundreds of employees.
At a meeting with the Prime Minister on Tuesday, the pilots were told that based on their first proposal the government was not convinced that they could take over the airline.
However, Captain Capleton said the association’s business plan will be submitted to its equity partners today and he expects to have a final response by the latest Monday.
Captain Capleton said the business plan seeks to maintain the current staff complement at the airline, approximately 19,000 workers.
He says consideration is also being given to the involvement of Jamaicans in the Diaspora.
http://go-jamaica.com/news/read_article.php?id=16245
However, it is a race against time as the government is currently in talks with the Trinidad - based Caribbean Airlines and the Finance Minister has indicated that a deal is likely to be reached soon for the sale of Air Jamaica.
The pilots association which is representing the airline’s staff is adamant that it will not give up on their bid for the cash strapped carrier.
The pilots are currently working with local and international based equity partners to identify the funds needed to acquire the lovebird.
A deal with Caribbean Airlines will grant Air Jamaica equity, but the Jamaican Government will have to find $27 billion in this year's budget to meet debt and other costs, including the redundancy of hundreds of employees.
At a meeting with the Prime Minister on Tuesday, the pilots were told that based on their first proposal the government was not convinced that they could take over the airline.
However, Captain Capleton said the association’s business plan will be submitted to its equity partners today and he expects to have a final response by the latest Monday.
Captain Capleton said the business plan seeks to maintain the current staff complement at the airline, approximately 19,000 workers.
He says consideration is also being given to the involvement of Jamaicans in the Diaspora.
http://go-jamaica.com/news/read_article.php?id=16245
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