Friday’s official takeover of the operations of Air Jamaica by Caribbean Airlines was marked by a controversial flight cancellation and more job cuts.
Scores of passengers at the Sangster International Airport in the western city of Montego Bay were reportedly furious after learning that their New York flight was again grounded following its cancellation on Thursday.
Boisterous verbal confrontations between angry passengers and Caribbean Airlines customer agents were reported.
“We were supposed to leave at 6:10 (Thursday). When we got to the airport, we were sitting down waiting for boarding until they announced that the flight was cancelled indefinitely,” said passenger Donovan Hyatt.
As part of the new operations following the merger, the airline’s reservations department is to be relocated to Trinidad.
While passengers sparred with the airline, more Air Jamaica workers lost their jobs on merger day one.
The latest round of job cuts followed the termination of 54 positions in May and a long list of dismissals since Caribbean Airlines took over a year ago and promised a leaner operation.
Those who were retained from the previous cut were given two-month contracts, which reportedly expired on Wednesday.
Those who signed Caribbean Airline contracts in May were given six-months’ probation, but their fate was not known on Friday.
The National Workers Union (NWU) which represents air Jamaica employees described the latest job cuts as unfortunate.
Outraged at the cuts, NWU Vice President Granville Valentine urged Labour Minister Pearnel Charles to ensure that a commitment he gave to protect Jamaican jobs was not jeopardised.
