| Virgin Takes Over Air Jamaica Route |
By BBC - Caribbean
May 25, 2007
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| Sir Richard Branson has confirmed that his Virgin Atlantic Airways will take over the London to Kingston route of Air Jamaica in October. |
State-run Air Jamaica is said to be losing US$20 million a year on flights between the Jamaican capital and Heathrow Airport.
Mr. Branson said Virgin will reduce Air Jamaica's daily service to two round-trip flights each week. |
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| He said: "It is not right that the Jamaican taxpayer should continue to fund such losses when there may be more pressing demands for precious funds." |
| The financial terms were not disclosed and Air Jamaica has not commented on the agreement. |
| Virgin already flies between London and the resort town of Montego Bay. |
| The opposition Jamaica Labour Party has criticised the latest deal, arguing it will put Jamaica at a disadvantage in the competition among Caribbean islands for British tourists. |
| JLP transport spokesman Mike Henry told BBC Caribbean that the party wants evidence about the savings which the deal would make, and its implications for the future of the financially troubled airline. |
| "I'm told that the route can make money and has made money in the past.". |
| It is an opinion shared by Jamaica's Airline Pilots Association. |
| Speaking to BBC Caribbean, JAPA President Omar Parkins said: "If the deal were to go ahead, it would be a regrettable action, because the best endeavours to exploit the route have not yet been made.". |
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