Air Jamaica will suspend service on three routes and take three Airbus A320 aircraft out of service. CEO Bruce Nobles said the cuts were necessary to meet financial obligations.
The first route cuts take effect March 9, when Air Jamaica eliminates New York-Grenada and Jamaica-Orlando service.
On April 12, Air Jamaica will suspend service between Jamaica and Chicago, Curacao and Nassau.
By April 12, the carrier will operate 161 flights per week between Jamaica and five gateways: Baltimore, Philadelphia, Toronto, New York Kennedy and Fort Lauderdale. The current schedule offers 160 flights per week to 12 destinations.
Air Jamaica will offer thrice-daily service to New York (two from Kingston, one from Montego Bay) and will fly four times per day to Fort Lauderdale (three from Kingston). The airline will operate one daily flight from Montego Bay to the other three cities.
By April, the carrier will operate six aircraft: one A319, four A320s and one A321.
The government of Jamaica is expected to make an announcement soon on the sale of Air Jamaica. The carrier must be divested for Jamaica to secure a $1.25 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund to help balance the country’s budget.
Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines appears to be the top contender to purchase and take over Air Jamaica, the Jamaica Airline Pilots Association also has submitted a proposal for ownership.
