Since the demise of Air Jamaica, when it was sold by the Jamaican government to Caribbean Airlines in 2011, Jamaicans have experienced a sense of loss and nostalgia as they struggle to find a sentimental attachment to a deserving replacement. It is true that air fares are a big deal, especially in these tough financial times, but it’s my sense that national pride will trump prices, especially among patriotic Jamaicans. Having said all that, those of us who travel to Jamaica regularly feel the need to develop some loyalty to an airline, and it’s my belief that we should act out of self-interest. In order to justify my viewpoint, I did some research and was relieved to learn that Jamaica remains an owner with Trinidad & Tobago of Caribbean Airlines; Jamaica, though not a major shareholder, is pivotal in the survival and success of the airline. So let’s invest our residual loyalty to a Caribbean product as this will only strengthen the region, this should by no means lessen our judgement and vigilance, but we can salvage some of our pride in our regional carrier.
The good news is that I have flown a couple of times with Caribbean Airlines and was more than impressed with the care and courtesy exhibited by its crew, and I don’t fly first class simply because if the plane goes down, I am going to feel pretty stupid that I paid more than the people in coach to arrive at the same destination. But seriously, the aircraft is spacious, the food served is better than just edible, and you certainly enjoy a sense of island hospitality. Caribbean Airlines seems poised to become a deserving replacement to the iconic Air Jamaica, but it needs your support, let’s keep putting them to the test, to ensure their survival – at least they make us Jamaicans nostalgic.
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This reporter promises to follow up on the evolving structure, and fortunes of Caribbean Airlines and the influence of the Jamaican government in its future.
