From Go-Jamaica

A Joint Working Group is to examine the possibility and scope for dual branding for Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL).

Transport Minister, Dr Omar Davies yesterday met with Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Investments, Vasant Bharath, to discuss a number of concerns in relation to the airline.

A release from the transport ministry says the discussions dealt with CAL’s arrears to Jamaican entities, its Jamaican operations and employment policies.

The Jamaican Government had threatened to withdraw the Air Jamaica brand from the Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines (CAL) following widespread reports that the carrier would be reducing the number of daily flights to Jamaica.

The ministry says yesterday Dr Davies pointed out that the question of marketing and airlift were very important to Jamaica’s Diaspora and the tourism sector and needed to be addressed.

It was then agreed that the Joint Working Group would be reconvened to address these issues and examine the possibility and scope for dual branding.

It was also agreed that communication between the Jamaican and Trinidadian authorities would be strengthened to improve coordination and information flow for the future development of the airline.

In relation to matters of union representation and the hiring of Jamaicans Bharath committed to holding dialogue with his country’s National Security Minister to address the concerns.

He reportedly indicated that the airline intended to further integrate Jamaican expertise into its operations and were looking to hire pilots and cabin crew.

As it relates to CAL’s arrears, it was acknowledged that there have been significant improvements in payments since December with a commitment made to pay outstanding sums by the end of June.

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