Air Jamaica Board to resign

Minister with responsibility for the national airline, Senator Don Wehby has reportedly told Board members that the decision for them to resign was based on plans by the government to take the airline in a new direction.



Board members were asked to resign yesterday following a meeting of the Cabinet on Monday.



Its understood that some board members were aware that they would be asked to go weeks before they were formally advised.



It is further understood that a new board is to be in place in another few weeks.



On Monday, Prime Minister Bruce Golding told a meeting of the Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA) that Air Jamaica had already racked up losses of US$170 million, which could increase further this year.



He said the government would have to absorb more than US$1 billion in losses by the airline and is currently losing $10 billion a year from the entity.



Former board member, Marcia Forbes said that she understands the reason for the government’s decision.



Mrs. Forbes said Senator Wehby, who is currently off the island has promised that he will speak further with her on the matter on his return.



Senator Wehby is currently in Washington to meet with representatives of multilateral agencies on the issue of food security and the country’s economic progress.



He is expected back in the island on Friday.