The newest local air passenger carrier, Jamaica Queen Airlines (JQA), will be seeking to fly to the United States and The Bahamas operating a fleet of eight Airbus planes, according to a statement of intent to the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA).
Although the airline has communicated its intentions to the JCAA, it is yet to formally apply for a licence, but it is currently seeking to recruit a chief executive officer. However, a spokesman declined to confirm much else.
"We will be using Airbus A320 and A321 less than seven years old," said JQA spokesperson Dennis Chong, in reference to the European manufacturer of jet airliners.
Lieutenant Colonel Oscar Derby, director general of the JCAA, in emailed responses to questions posed by Wednesday Business, said, "The entity has submitted a pre-application statement of intent which was received ... on April 30, 2012 in the name of Jamaica Queen Airlines."
Derby said, "The pre-application statement of intent indicates JQA wishes to perform scheduled international air transport operations from Kingston to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Baltimore, New York, Philadelphia, Orlando and Nassau."
He added that the pre-application statement indicates the fleet size of four A320 and four A321 aircraft.
The last airline to enter the local market is Fly Jamaica, which secured an air operating certificate in September 2012 from the JCAA.