The Jamaican government is planning to launch a new domestic airline and is in talks with three investment groups about funding for the project, Minister of Transport and Mining Robert Montague said.
"Having a domestic airline is one of my objectives because I believe that ordinary Jamaicans should have an option of taking air transport, so I have it as one of my priorities," The Jamaica Observer quoted Montague.
The government is currently finalising a new National Transport Policy, which could include the proposal for the creation of a new flag carrier.
According to the ch-aviation airlines module, there are currently no active scheduled carriers in Jamaica. Guyanese-owned Fly Jamaica Airways (Kingston Norman Manley) suspended operations in January 2019 after its only aircraft was damaged in a runway overshoot incident at Georgetown Cheddi Jagan in November 2018. Knightflight Airways (Montego Bay) was set up in 2014 already and initially eyed 2017 for launch, but the plans have never materialised.
Jamaica's flag carrier Air Jamaica (Kingston Norman Manley) was bought by Caribbean Airlines (BW, Port of Spain) in 2011. The brand was retired in 2014.
Currently, the only domestic scheduled route in Jamaica is the Kingston Norman Manley-Montego Bay daily service operated by interCaribbean Airways (JY, Providenciales) with E120 turboprops.
