Air Jamaica Express
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.
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. The JQ code assigned by the IATA was later reassigned to Jetstar Airways.
Services
In 2002, Air Jamaica Express served the following destinations:Country | City | Airport | Notes |
Jamaica | Kingston | Norman Manley International Airport | |
Jamaica | Montego Bay | Sangster International Airport | |
Jamaica | Negril | Negril Aerodrome | |
Jamaica | Ocho Rios | Ian Fleming International Airport | |
Jamaica | Port Antonio | Ken Jones Aerodrome | |
Cayman Islands | George Town | Owen Roberts International Airport | |
Cuba | Havana | José Martí International Airport | |
Cuba | Santiago de Cuba | Antonio Maceo Airport | Seasonal |
Haiti | Port-au-Prince | Toussaint Louverture International Airport | Seasonal |
Turks and Caicos | Providenciales | Providenciales International Airport | Seasonal |
Dominican Republic | Santo Domingo | Las Américas International Airport | Seasonal |
Bahamas | Nassau | Lynden Pindling International Airport | Seasonal |
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.
Fleet
In 2002, Air Jamaica Express was operating the following twin turboprop aircraft types:Aircraft | Amount in Fleet | Passengers |
Bombardier Dash 8 Q100 | 6 | 37 |
de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter | 2 | 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.