Air Jamaica appears set for Caribbean acquisition

Air Jamaica said it has "targeted" April 12 for beginning "the transition to Caribbean Airlines." The troubled carrier appears to be settled on an arrangement whereby its assets would be taken over by the Trinidad & Tobago airline, although no final agreement has been reached between the Jamaican government, which controls JM, and Caribbean. Finance Minister Audley Shaw previously said the government is "seeking to divest Air Jamaica on the best terms available" and to ensure that there is adequate air services to/from the island nation
(ATWOnline, Jan. 28). While it has been speculated that most of JM's workers would be laid off following the Caribbean takeover, the airline said in the statement that the "transition to Caribbean Airlines will be phased over a period of up to one year [and]. . .Air Jamaica aircraft will continue to be utilized during the transition period. Current Air Jamaica pilots, flight crews and ground staff will operate the aircraft for the [spring/summer] schedule already published."