'We will fly before Christmas' - Fly Jamaica boss readies for the sky
Published:Friday | December 14, 2012 | 12:00 AM
Keisha Hill, Gleaner Writer
"We are ready to rock and roll," so said Lloyd Tai, chief operating officer of Fly Jamaica Airways.
In September, Fly Jamaica Airways was presented with its air-operating certificate, which gives it approval to operate as an airline.
After satisfying the authorities in Jamaica that it could finance the operations of the airline, the Jamaican Government designated the airline a local carrier.
Fly Jamaica, two weeks ago, received clearance from authorities in the United States, who determined the airline has the capital to operate.
Fly Jamaica is in the process of finalising its operating schedules out of John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
"We had to file an application for the process of acquiring the economic authority. It was posted on the United States Department of Transport's website for more than one month. We were at the stage where it was either a pro or con, and we had one pro. Nobody was against our application," Tai said.
Awaiting fare approval
He said the company has now started to prepare flight schedules and is awaiting fare approval. Fly Jamaica Airways is also in negotiations with airports to arrange terminal slots and immigrations agreements.
"Many things are going on at the same time. A myriad of clearances must happen, but they are working simultaneously. We will fly before Christmas, even if I have to do one flight to start the process," Tai said.
After 14 months of working assiduously to get the airline off the ground, Tai said the operators were quite satisfied with the progress.
"Despite the level of frustration, we were determined and committed to getting this project done. We feel it is a critical project for Jamaica," Tai said.
"While timely than anticipated, no time have we waivered to get this project done. We have a very committed team," Tai added.
Fly Jamaica Airways is a partnership between Guyanese Paul Ronald Reece and three Jamaican shareholders, including Tai and manager of in-flight services, Christine Steele.