Headlines:
| Air J buyer |
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| Wednesday, 01 July 2009 | |
 A buyer has reportedly
been selected for the national airline Air Jamaica.A statement released late Tuesday said the Privatization Committee headed by Dennis Lalor has completed its work and submitted its recommendation to Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance, Senator Don Wehby. Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Finance Minister Audley Shaw have been informed of the recommendation and the matter is expected to be discussed by the Cabinet and the Board of Directors of Air Jamaica. Air Jamaica's new owner will either be Trinidad and tobaod based carrier Caribbean Airlines or British tour operator Thomas Cook which were short listed earlier this year to submit bids for the 40 year old airline. Based on the recommendation from the Privatisation Committee, the Government will retain a minor equity stake in Air Jamaica. Senator Wehby who has responsibility for Air Jamaica says details of the transaction will remain confidential until a final decision is made. In the interim, Air Jamaica will continue to operate in accordance with the new Business Plan that has been in place since late February. During his monthly radio call in programme last week, Mr. Golding said Cabinet should sign off on the sale by mid July. |