Tag Archives: Air Jamaica

Is the Air Jamaica brand facing the final extinction?

Caribbean Airlines (Port of Spain), as we first reported in July of 2012, was modifying its aircraft that were painted in the Air Jamaica (Kingston) brand. The Trinidad and Tobago Civil Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA) in 2012 mandated Caribbean Airlines must drop the Air Jamaica brand because of the conditions of their Air Operators Certificate (AOC) that it operate under one name. The first casualty was the pictured Boeing 737-8Q8 9Y-JMA (msn 30645) “Spirit of Kingston” which was sporting Caribbean Airlines titles on the Air Jamaica 2011 livery in 2012. The airliner previously had full Air Jamaica titles and color scheme.

This thorny issue, one of national pride in Jamaica, has moved slowly since the issue first emerged in 2012. Now Caribbean Airlines has repainted 9Y-JMA (above) with full Caribbean Airlines titles (minus the tail logo) eliminating the Air Jamaica colors. The aircraft re-entered revenue service on the February 23, 2014. This new change may be a new signal that Caribbean has decided to move ahead with the mandated one brand ruling eliminating the iconic Air Jamaica brand and name.

Caribbean Airlines had previously adopted a “two brands, one airline” marketing strategy to mainly keep alive the Air Jamaica brand, especially for the Jamaican market. Because the aircraft were intermingled between markets, this often led to a diverse identity in the two main markets.

A report by The Gleaner of June 19, 2013 reported the government of Jamaica (which retains a 16 percent share) was concerned about the reduction of flights by Caribbean Airlines to the island nation. Caribbean Airlines reduced the number of flights to Jamaica on April 16, 2013. The new CAL board was given a month to come back with a new development plan for Air Jamaica. Previously the Jamaican government has threatened to withdraw the Air Jamaica brand from the combined airline per Caribbean 360.

Read the full report The Gleamer: CLICK HERE

Read the full report from Caribbean 360: CLICK HERE

Finally, if this drama was not enough, Trinidad and Tobago Newsday reported Caribbean Airlines and Bahamasair (Nassau) in January 2014 were holding discussions on possible closer ties. Will this lead to a three-brand airline? Not likely.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

In addition, Americans were warned not to fly Caribbean Airlines to and from Guyana because of possible threats against the carrier.

In conclusion, Caribbean Airlines needs to make a final decision of this difficult national pride issue and move ahead towards profitability once again.

Read the full report from Reuters: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Nigel Steele/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-8Q8 9Y-JMA (msn 30645) arrives back at the Port of Spain base with the new (almost full) identity.

Caribbean Airlines:

Air Jamaica:

Current Route Map:

Historic Photo of the Day – May 30, 2013

Air Jamaica Airbus A300B4-203 6Y-JMK (msn 131) MIA (Keith Armes). Image: 912307.

Air Jamaica:

Frameable Color Prints and Posters:

Caribbean Airlines is forced to remove the Air Jamaica brand

Caribbean Airlines (Port of Spain) is now modifying its aircraft that were painted in the Air Jamaica brand. The Trinidad and Tobago Civil Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA) has mandated Caribbean Airlines must drop the Air Jamaica brand because of the conditions of their Air Operators Certificate (AOC). The first casualty is the pictured Boeing 737-8Q8 9Y-JMA (msn 30645) “Spirit of Kingston” (above) which is now sporting Caribbean Airlines titles on the Air Jamaica 2011 livery. The airliner previously had Air Jamaica titles (below).

Caribbean Airlines had previously adopted a “two brands, one airline” marketing strategy to mainly keep alive the Air Jamaica brand, especially for the Jamaican market. Because the aircraft were intermingled between markets, this order is likely to finally kill the Air Jamaica name.

Top Copyright Photo: Nigel Steele.

Caribbean Airlines:

Air Jamaica:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Reinhard Zinabold.

Caribbean Airlines arrives in London with help of Omni Air International

Caribbean Airlines (Port of Spain) has brought the “BW” code back to London. Previously BWIA West Indies Airways (Port of Spain) dropped the route five years ago. The flag carrier launched twice-weekly Port of Spain-London (Gatwick) service on June 14 (arriving at LGW on June 15) with a wet leased Boeing 767-300 from Omni Air International-OAI (Tulsa). Caribbean is leasing the aircraft from Omni for the route pending the delivery of two Boeing 767-300s (msn 26327 and 27597) from LAN Airlines (Santiago).

According to the Trinidad Express the first flight was 65 percent filled.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

In other news, Caribbean Airlines will terminate the Air Jamaica (Kingston) route linking Montego Bay and Philadelphia on July 1.

Caribbean:

BWIA:

Omni Air International:

Air Jamaica:

Is Caribbean Airlines facing a cash crunch?

Caribbean Airlines (Port of Spain) according to this report by the Trinidad Express Newspapers, has failed to meet its promised $5 million payment to Children’s Life Fund, a charity favored by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

Also according to the report, CAL owes National Petroleum approximately $29 million for aviation fuel.

The airline has recently reduced staff in the Air Jamaica operation.

Also according to the report, the airline has been unable to take delivery of the third and fourth new ATR 72-600 due to not being able to meet the payments.

As the flag carrier, Caribbean Airlines receives a fuel subsidy which grounded REDjet did not receive and was critical.

Finallly, the airline is also reportedly looking at its two-brands policy (maintaining the Air Jamaica brand).

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Caribbean Airlines Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Air Jamaica to restore the Kingston-Miami route

Air Jamaica-Caribbean Airlines Boeing 737-8Q8 WL 9Y-JMA (msn 30645) YYZ (Reinhard Zinabold), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Air Jamaica (Kingston) will restore the Kingston-Miami route on December 9, 2011 according to Airline Route.

Air Jamaica Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Air Jamaica and Caribbean Airlines to operate under the same “BW” code

Air Jamaica-Caribbean Airlines Boeing 737-8Q8 WL 9Y-JMA (msn 30645) FLL (Wade DeNero) (new livery), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Air Jamaica (Kingston) and Caribbean Airlines (Port of Spain) are moving one step closer under their “one airline, two brands” strategy.

Effective July 1, 2011, all Air Jamaica flights will operate under the same “BW” airline code as Caribbean Airlines (the old BWIA code). This means that customers should expect to see Air Jamaica and Caribbean Airlines flights advertised with the BW code followed by respective flight number across all media advertising, airport and booking/ticketing information. For example, Air Jamaica flight JM 79 which operates from Toronto to Kingston will now be displayed as BW 79.

Operating under one “BW” code means that as “One airline, two brands” Caribbean Airlines and Air Jamaica will be able to realize the cost synergies that were anticipated from the onset. In addition to operating under the same flight code, the airlines are moving towards one fleet type for both Caribbean Airlines and Air Jamaica and customers will also notice that front line staff for both carriers will be custom uniformed to represent both brands.

Caribbean Airlines Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Route Map:

Air Jamaica adds its third Boeing 737-800

Air Jamaica-Caribbean Airlines Boeing 737-8Q8 WL 9Y-JMD (msn 30720) POS (Nigel Steele) (3rd 737-800), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Air Jamaica (Kingston) has added its third Boeing 737-800 via ILFC.

Air Jamaica adds its second Boeing 737-800

Air Jamaica-Caribbean Airlines Boeing 737-8Q8 WL 9Y-JMB (msn 30661) POS (Nigel Steele) (2nd 737-800), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Air Jamaica (Kingston) has added its second Boeing 737-800.

Air Jamaica-Caribbean Airlines Route Map:

Caribbean Airlines signs contract for nine ATR 72-600s

Caribbean Airlines (Port of Spain) has signed a contract for the purchase of nine 68-seat ATR 72-600 aircraft. Deliveries will start in October 2011. Caribbean will use the new aircraft to replace its fleet of five Bombardier DHC-8-300 turboprops. Some of the new ATR 72s will be operated for Air Jamaica.

The new ATR 72–600 features the latest technological enhancements while building upon the advantages of the current ATR 72-500 aircraft, namely its high efficiency, proven dispatch reliability, low fuel burn and operating cost. It will include the new PW127M as standard engine (new engines provide 5% additional thermodynamic power at takeoff, thus improving performance on short runways, in hot weather and on high altitude). The incorporation of the “boost function” enables use of this additional power as needed, only when called for by the takeoff conditions.), Glass Cockpit flight deck featuring five wide LCD screens that will replace the current EFIS (Electronic Flight instrument System). In addition, a multi-purpose computer (MPC) will further enhance Flight Safety and operational capabilities. The new avionics, to be supplied by Thales, will also provide CAT III and RNP capabilities. It will also include the new lighter and more comfortable seats and larger overhead baggage bins.