Air Jamaica Express Explained

Airline:Air Jamaica Express
Iata:B9
Icao:JMX
Callsign:JAMAICA EXPRESS
Founded:
[1]
Hubs:Norman Manley International Airport
Frequent Flyer:7th Heaven
Parent:Air Jamaica
Headquarters:Kingston, Jamaica
Key People:Gordon "Butch" Stewart

Air Jamaica Express was an airline based in Kingston, Jamaica, which, before folding, operated as a subsidiary of Air Jamaica. It operated domestic and inter-island scheduled flights and charter services. The airline was established in 1973 as Jamaica Air Taxi, and later operated as Trans-Jamaican Airlines until it was taken over by business man Gordon "Butch" Stewart, who also controlled Air Jamaica in 1994.[2]

When Air Jamaica was renationalized in December 2004, responsibility for Air Jamaica Express remained with Stewart and his organization. The airline struggled financially and after attempts to reorganize and secure additional capital were unsuccessful, the airline ceased operations on October 14, 2005.[3] The JQ code assigned by the IATA was later reassigned to Jetstar Airways.[1]

Services

In 2002, Air Jamaica Express served the following destinations:[1]

CountryCityAirportNotes
JamaicaNorman Manley International Airport
Sangster International Airport
Negril, JamaicaNegril Aerodrome
Ocho RiosIan Fleming International Airport
Port AntonioKen Jones Aerodrome
Cayman IslandsGeorge TownOwen Roberts International Airport
CubaHavanaJosé Martí International Airport
Santiago de CubaAntonio Maceo AirportSeasonal
HaitiPort-au-PrinceSeasonal
Turks and CaicosProvidencialesProvidenciales International AirportSeasonal
Dominican RepublicSanto DomingoLas Américas International AirportSeasonal
BahamasNassauLynden Pindling International AirportSeasonal

Prior to Air Jamaica Express, predecessor air carrier Trans-Jamaican Airlines was operating ATR 42 turboprop service on a routing of Montego Bay - Kingston - Grand Cayman - Belize City, Belize - Cancun, Mexico twice a week in 1994.[4]

Fleet

In 2002, Air Jamaica Express was operating the following twin turboprop aircraft types:[1]

AircraftAmount in FleetPassengers
De Havilland Canada Dash 8-1006 37
De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter2 19

The airline also previously operated Short 360 turboprop aircraft and Dornier 228 aircraft as well as the following STOL capable piston engine prop aircraft during its existence:

In addition, predecessor air carrier Trans-Jamaican Airlines operated ATR 42 turboprop aircraft.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Norwood, Tom. Wegg, John. North American Airlines Handbook. Airways International. Sandpoint, ID. 2002. 3rd. 0-9653993-8-9. 2018-10-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20161128070750/http://airwaysnews.com/. 2016-11-28. dead.
  2. News: Air Jamaica gives up Express . MARTIN-WILKINS . ARLENE . July 1, 2005 . Jamaica Observer . 2008-05-25 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060216022909/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20050630T230000-0500_83399_OBS_AIR_JAMAICA_GIVES_UP_EXPRESS.asp . February 16, 2006 .
  3. News: Air Jamaica Express to shut down . September 18, 2005 . Jamaica Observer . 2008-05-25 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060401041949/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/business/html/20050917t180000-0500_88558_obs_air_jamaica_express_to_shut_down_.asp . April 1, 2006 .
  4. Sept. 15, 1994 OAG Desk Top Flight Guide, North American Edition