Air Jamaica has accumulated losses of U.S one billion dollars and debt of five hundred million dollars.

Can we afford the airline in its present format?

Like most Jamaicans I feel sentimental about what's loosely called our national airline. However, unlike most Jamaicans, I operate on a budget and hate deficit financing so I endeavour to live within my means.

I make this analogy to emphasize the point that we cannot afford Air Jamaica and would resent any Jamaican government using my tax dollars as guarantee to any would-be 'purchaser'.

Do the pilots have a viable business plan for the airline? Are they willing to risk everything they have to maintain the status quo? Do they require a government guarantee?

Why doesn't the tourism sector, which has benefited significantly from Air Jamaica make a bid for this asset?
 
Is it that they consider it a liability?

And why do talk-show hosts on the island's top radio stations not do their research instead of ecouraging emotionally-charged chatter, which does more harm than good, on the airwaves ?

We can't have our cake and eat it!

Time for a reality check.