Air Jamaica Express was an airline based in Kingston, Jamaica and 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 started operations on 18 April1996. It later operated as Trans-Jamaican Airline when it was taken over by Gordon Stewart who also controlled Air Jamaica in 1994.[1]
When Air Jamaica was renationalized in December of 2004, responsibility for Air Jamaica Express remained with Stewart and his organization. The airline struggled financially and after attempts to reorganized and secure additional capital were unsuccessful, the airline ceased operations on October 14, 2005.[2] The JQ code assigned by the IATA was later reassigned to Jetstar Airways.[3]
Services
As of 2002, the airline served Grand Cayman, Havana Cuba, Kinston Jamaica, Montego Bay, Nassau, Negril Jamaica, Ocho Rios, Port-au-Prince Haiti, Turks and Caicos, Port Antonio Jamaica, Dominican Republic and season service to Santiago, Cuba.[3]
Fleet
As of 2002, the Air Jamaica fleet consists of 6 Bombardier Dash 8 Q100 aircraft seating 37 passengers and 2 Bombardier Dash 6 3100 aircraft seating 19.[3]