Air Jamaica

Caribbean Airlines faces substantial challenges in achieving success on long-haul flights to London

Caribbean Airlines faces an uphill climb now that is has solidified plans to re-enter the trans-Atlantic long-haul market in June from its Port of Spain, Trinidad hub to London Gatwick International airport. Service from the Caribbean to Europe by airlines based in the islands has traditionally underperformed, as the complexity of operating a small fleet of widebody aircraft helped to stifle profitability. But Caribbean, now the largest carrier in the region, seems convinced it is necessary to give the trans-Atlantic market a second try.

Both Caribbean and Air Jamaica, which was acquired by Caribbean in 2010, have tried in the past to sustain long-haul service to the UK. Caribbean’s predecessor BWIA sold its London Heathrow slots to British Airways (BA) and started codesharing with BA in 2007 on flights from London to Port of Spain. Air Jamaica sold its London Heathrow slots to Virgin Atlantic in 2007 and also began codesharing on the UK-based carrier’s flights from Gatwick to Kingston and Montego Bay.

One airline, two brands serve Caribbean

As headlines in Jamaica touted the end of an era, Caribbean Airlines, which acquired Air Jamaica in May, promised to become a “truly Caribbean airline” to serve the Caribbean as one airline but two brands. The two brands are now operating under the Caribbean Airlines BW code as they continue to integrate operations, ending Air Jamaica’s troubled 42-year history.

Open skies with Jamaica to be renegotiated

The transition of services from Air Jamaica to Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) has encountered a glitch in that CAL lacks permission to serve the US and the rights apparently do not transfer once the CAL acquires Air Jamaica.

Spirit of Jamaica?

Fort Lauderdale-based ultra low cost carrier, Spirit Airlines, has reportedly acquired Air Jamaica, according to the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper, citing unnamed sources, following government efforts to privatise the loss-making Jamaican carrier. The report stated the airline would be renamed ‘Spirit of Jamaica’.

Effective airline leadership succession - exclusive analysis by Spencer Stuart

As the global airline industry enters another dark chapter, executives come under even sharper scrutiny. In this analysis, by Spencer Stuart’s Global Aviation Practice, Michael Bell and Thierry Lindenau discuss the keys to effective airline leadership succession planning and implementation.