Business
Fly Jamaica Airways: – A new startup founded by Jamaican and Guyanese entrepreneurs
(Jamaica Gleaner) – Fly Jamaica Airways, a new airline set to begin operations in Jamaica in August, has taken the owners and partners close to a year to officially take to the skies.
Fly Jamaica Airways is a partnership between chief executive officer (CEO), Guyana-born Paul Ronald Reece and three shareholders from Jamaica including Chief Operating Officer (COO) Captain Lloyd Tai and manager of in-flight services; Christine Steele. Reece is also the owner of Wings Aviation Inc., based in Guyana.
According to the COO, the opportunity presented itself to set up operations in Jamaica following the demise of Air Jamaica. Tai said, with the availability of resources including qualified persons in Jamaica and the country’s good reputation in the aviation industry they decided to take on the challenge.
“The starting-up process has been challenging and rigorous. There are regulatory guidelines that we have had to meet, including the standards of the International Aviation Organization of which Jamaica is a signatory. They set the guidelines and standards for us to follow,” Tai said.
Tai said they have been going through the process that includes the application, documentation, demonstration, and the issuance of the air operation certificate (AOC). During the application process, the airline must outline the persons who will be integrally involved in the process, and these individuals must be highly qualified especially in relation to the day-to-day operations of the airline.
“They include flight operations, maintenance, safety and quality, in-flight service and security,” Tai said.
