Fly Jamaica hopes for positive word on non-stop GT/NY flights after 60-90 -day deadline

Sep 22, 2013 News

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Fly Jamaica (FJ) officials are keeping their fingers crossed that after the stipulated 60-90 day time period has elapsed, there would be a positive outcome of the new airline’s permission to travel non-stop from Guyana to United States.
It was mentioned during a press conference with airline executives yesterday that the request is under consideration and should take no more than three months for a response. The meeting which was held at FJ’s local base, Wings Aviation, at the Ogle Airport, saw airline Director Roxanne Reece expressing the “unfortunate” situation befalling the airline when it was grouped with Caribbean Airlines as receiving subsidies from its government.

Reece told the media that FJ had applied to fly the direct Georgetown/New York route. Two days later, Caribbean Airlines (CAL) also applied to fly the route. She said that the airlines were then grouped as having the backings of their government. Reece clarified however that FJ is a private airline with no financial ties to any government.
She said that FJ is optimistic about the outcome since the whole purpose for requesting to travel the route is to ease the woes that the flying Guyanese public is facing.

The FJ experience
In the meantime, the executives were enthusiastic about what they say is the Fly Jamaica experience; selling tourism in a family atmosphere. Board member and FJ partner Christine Steele said that some 25 flight attendants have been in training for more than a week now and are being groomed for excellent customer care.
She said that passengers can expect a family atmosphere with the attendants being of various ethnic backgrounds and bringing their own uniqueness. Steele said, “We are trying to let everyone who comes on board feel like family. Each day we speak about how important our customers are. The difference with FJ is that we are going to be customer friendly, very customer friendly.”
Customers can be guaranteed a whole new flying experience with the features added to the FJ package. Reece explained that passengers can shop on board the flight and not the ordinary stuff, but jewelry, phones, SIM cards, phone cards and other such items.
She said arts and craft of Jamaica and Guyana will be promoted, along with the countries’ various cuisines. Passengers might even be graced by the famous chefs who are likely to be featured in the airlines cooking magazine.
Fly Jamaica will also have constant promotions where persons win free trips, inclusive of accommodations. They can win free concert trips, while the company says it will be promoting shows with big name artistes in the ports that they travel. Additionally couples can get affordable marriage packages once they fly with FJ.
Reece said they are working with hotels about ‘resort weddings’ so that a couple can get discounts once they fly with the airline. Tours are also a part of the deal. The company is to offer sports tours, cooking tours etc.
It is hoped that Guyana and Jamaica can trade their tourism, Reece said. She stated that the Jamaican people are excited to be sharing their airline with Guyana in that while the Jamaicans can enjoy Guyana’s lush green rainforest, Guyanese can enjoy their sun-kissed sparkly blue water beaches.
Outside of that, to give a true sense of quality customer service FJ says it is hoping to partner with other airlines and companies to better services that are offered. For example, LIAT was mentioned for a short flights partnership since the airline (FJ) with its Boeing 757 will find difficulty in making short stops.
Reece said, “We are not just selling seats, we are tourism…” She added, “We hope to form alliances with other companies because we feel that there is enough business in this part of the world for everyone, just a matter of cooperation.”
Security and service provision
On the topic of drug trafficking, Reece said the company is very concerned about the issue since that is an ongoing issue in Guyana. She said that there is need to improve the security situation to lessen the incidence of drug trafficking, while mentioning the quality of persons employed and the incentives to deter persons from getting involved and pursuing their duties effectively.
The company is also looking to its own security, Reece said. She said that FJ will be putting measures in place to deal with the issue.
FJ has hired some 40 Guyanese, 25 of them as flight attendants. The executives say that are being groomed to serve in a family-like setting.
There are two Guyanese pilots working with the company with another of Guyanese parentage. Reece explained that with any airline, there can be mechanical failures when asked about back-ups in an event of delays. She noted that the company already has leasing set ups that in the event that something happens and the plane is unable to meet schedule then a charter would be in place within a couple of hours.
From next week FJ’s call centre will be fully operational. Reece said customers can look forward to round the clock service since bookings can be made at any hour, even one and two o’clock in the morning.
FJ will be making eight non-stop flights and two connecting. The routes are Guyana/Jamaica/ New York, New York/ Guyana or New York/Jamaica/ Guyana. They will fly non –stop to Toronto Canada and back and non-stop Guyana/ Jamaica and back.
Fly Jamaica has entered the market at a time when Guyanese were literally begging to be rescued from the GT/NY monopoly which CAL enjoyed. Customers were paying high ticket fares, while complaining about poor service. It was even harder to compete on the route with CAL receiving a $300M fuel subsidy from its government and causing other airlines to back out.
Others such as EZjet and Red Jet entered and failed, while Delta pulled out after claiming low profits.
Guyanese may get another option to choose from if Travel Span returns to Guyana with its chartered flights later in the year.

 

 

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