Sloley said while his party was in agreement with the Government's decision to divest Air Jamaica, the rigid timeline set for divestment was unrealistic and undercutting the bargaining position of the Government.
State of the nation debate
The senator was making his contribution yesterday to the State of the Nation Debate in the Upper House.
The Government has set March 2009 as the deadline for privatising the airline.
Sloley argued that when a deadline is set, certain messages are articulated, noting that customers will start to look elsewhere, suppliers will stop extending credit, competitors use the opportunity to induce customers and it demoralises staff.
Alternative plan
He also suggested that the management of the airline prepare an alternative plan.
Air Jamaica has a total market share of 44 per cent, comprised of 50 per cent of all Jamaican passengers; and 31 per cent of all visitors, which is nearly twice the number of visitors carried by any other airline.