FOUR YEARS after it commenced operations to Houston, Texas, the national air carrier, Air Jamaica, yesterday announced that it will suspend service to that destination, effective April 3, 2005. The airline currently flies between Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Monetgo Bay.
In a press release issued yesterday, vice president of operations and planning, John Lewis said, the suspension of service to Houston is part of the ongoing restructuring effort to bring the airline into financial stability and improving its viability. Mr. Lewis pointed out that as part of its restructuring exercise Air Jamaica had also suspended service to Manchester, Antigua, London and Havana.
The press release noted that "the frequency of flights on other routes has been reduced; five aircraft are being returned, and the restructuring team is reviewing other ways to reduce operating expenses."
According to the executive chairman of Air Jamaica, Dr. Vincent, the airline was thankful of the Jamaican people and Houston "for their support of the airline and its staff." He assured them that "the excellent service and high safety standards to which they have become accustomed will be maintained in this period of transition."
Dr. Lawrence said that "the national airline is important to the country's economy and is a source of pride for the Jamaican people, and everything will be done to ensure that it survives and becomes viable."
Daily Business could not get a commitment from the airline if it will reintroduce the Houston route in the future.
