I note with bemusement the arguments being put forward by the naysayers over the impending action by the management of Air Jamaica. It is my opinion that this is quite hypocritical.

From the limited knowledge I have of the airline industry, I believe that the administration of the airline over the period 1994 to 2004, should take some of the blame. One of the issues, I believe, is the decision to remove flights from Kingston to Montego Bay as they attempted to create a hub system. Kingston to Miami is usually just over one hour, however, with the system that was instituted, one would often spend up to four hours trying to get there because of the time one had to wait in Montego Bay.

Most-affected route

This was also the case for a number of routes, with the most affected, I believe, the Eastern Caribbean. You arrived at the airport at 6:30 a.m. for departure at 8:30 a.m. to Montego Bay, where you would remain until 2:00 p.m, waiting eight hours before you departed Jamaica. This wait could be exacerbated if the flight is delayed.

Other routes were severely affected by this lack of understanding of who was using the airline and positioning for tourism and not locals. Hence, passengers, who were accustomed to direct flights from Norman Manley International, having been incon-venienced one too many times, sought alternatives. As such, other airlines started to flourish on routes that were, before, dominated by Air Jamaica.

Other airlines

Cayman is now served by as many as four flights per day by Cayman Airways. Miami is serviced by American Airlines (AA) with three flights per day to Kingston and three to Montego Bay. Atlanta has been taken over by Delta. Even with non-direct flights on Caribbean Airlines, they still operate a daily schedule.

The last time I flew with AA from Miami and Fort Lauderdale there were no seats available, while Air Jamaica was flying with empty seats.

While what is in the past cannot be changed, the future can be corrected. I will miss the convenience of Miami, however, the hypocrites who are now shouting the loudest should be quiet and let the management do what is necessary to save the airline.

I am, etc.,

H. EARING

manittis@yahoo.co.uk

Kingston