Archive for January, 2010
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A record 10,000 passengers from the UK and Europe are expected to travel to St. Kitts in the first year since British Airways commenced operations in January 2009, representing a 50 percent growth in just six months. The surge in passenger numbers is set to continue through 2010, following the start of BA’s second service on 30 March 2010. |
KINGSTON, Jamaica, January 14, 2010 – Trinidad and Tobago’s state owned Caribbean Airlines is now just days away from taking over Jamaica’s national carrier. A deal in which Air Jamaica will be absorbed into the Trinidad airline is expected to be consummated this weekend, according to a Jamaica government announcement. Under the plan, Caribbean Airlines will grant Air Jamaica equity, but the Jamaican government will have to find J$27 billion (US$301.6 million) in this year’s capital expenditure budget to meet debt and other costs, including the redundancy of hundreds of employees. It is believed that several hundred workers will be on the breadline as a result of the divestment. Other details of the deal have not yet been released. And just days ahead of the long-expected divestment, a new Board has been appointed by the Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw. The five-member team, put in place this week following the expiration of the term of the previous Board, will oversee transitional arrangements and legacy issues surrounding the Air Jamaica divestment. The new Board is led by businessman and Chairman of the Insurance Company of the West Indies (ICWI) Group, Dennis Lalor. The other members are Christopher Zacca, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister; Dr Wayne Henry, Special Adviser to the Minister of Finance and the Public Service; Sancia Templer, President of Jamaica Trade and Invest; and Christopher Berry, Chairman of Mayberry Investments. In addition, an Air Jamaica transition management committee has been set up to help guide the divestment process. That will be led by the airline’s President and CEO Bruce Nobles. The divestment of Jamaica’s national carrier is coming much later than originally hoped. Prime Minister Bruce Golding had announced, in April 2008, government’s plans to divest the airline by the end of that financial year. He had said the decision was taken because government could no longer pile the losses of the airline on the backs of taxpayers “with no end in sight”. Air Jamaica at that time had accumulated losses of over US$1 billion. |
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AIRPORT – In the wake of the recent earthquake that hit
All donated items will then be packaged at the Red Cross St. Maarten Chapter where they will be sent directly to
The jet service sponsored by PJIAE is a special charter flight, which barring unforeseen circumstances, is scheduled to arrive in
The Red Cross is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week and will assume the same hours this weekend to accept donations for the necessity drive. The St. Maarten Medical Center as well as Dutch/French pharmacies are encouraged to donate medical supplies. Dutch and French hotels are also encouraged to donate blankets, towels and linens as these are all considered top-priority items needed in
“PJIAE sympathizes with the local Haitian community and all those affected by this terrible tragedy. We look forward to the public’s support in our effort to assist those affected by the earthquake,” drs. Holiday said.
drs. Eugene B. Holiday
President
PANAMA CITY, Panama – Copa Airlines plans to spend US$600 million to expand in 2010. The airline wants to buy more planes, hire 900 employees and add flights and four destinations this year. The reason for the company’s growth was a 15% increase in the number of passengers in December 2009 compared to the same time in 2008. Pedro Heilbrón, Copa Airlines’ vice president, said 2009 was a successful year despite the company’s having to deal with the global economic crisis and the influenza A (H1N1) virus epidemic. Heilbrón said that to some extent, the airline is growing because of the expansion of Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, which will give the airline more hangars. [Prensa.com