The bid proposal of the Air Jamaica pilots gives the strength of will and the enlightened vision of that category of professionals to maintain and support the many others of us who want the ownership of Air Jamaica to remain with us. This shows that it is no simple loyalty or empty sentiment that motivates all who have this collective desire, but a strong sense of pride in what we own and can retain.
Too many things are divested to other entities and countries. This practice and philosophy give the impression that Jamaicans are without the resource to invest and sustain investments with good management that attest to the fact that the skills are here to control and make profitable and successful private and public investments.
I repeat here what I said in a letter to the press on the issue of Air Jamaica's divestment several years ago, that it should not go into private hands again; that the Government should retain it and offer shares to all those interested in indigenous ownership.
More hopeful
However, I am more hopeful and rejoice at the bid and offer of the pilots. I also extend my suggestion to include Jamaicans in the diaspora who are as proud as we are to ride in an airline owned by us and to see them on the tarmac competing with other lines at the airports in various countries. Pilots and workers and shareholders will see to its success, profitability and survival.
To speak of the strain on the public purse is to overlook and minimise its importance and its service to all and sundry. I wish to know how many of the public agencies that are a call on the Budget and serve the nation operate at a profit.
Recently, there was a published report that Air Jamaica made a profit one month. If this is a fact, there is greater hope which should not be dashed!
Finally, we need not seem to be heading for a fire sale as the only thing we seem to own are the brand name and goodwill for which we would get very little.
Let us join hands and retain and save Air Jamaica.
I am, etc.,
R.A. YOUNG
grupyoung@cwjamaica.com