Hundreds of Jamaicans turned up recently to welcome the news that Air Jamaica will resume flights to Canada on April 5, 2004.

The announcement was made at the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) in Toronto, Canada, by Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, Chairman of Air Jamaica.

"Air Jamaica will be the prettiest bird that has ever flown the Canadian sky," said Mr. Stewart, at a gala event organized by the airline.

He pointed out that for the first time in 13 years, an Air Jamaica flight would depart daily from Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto at 8:45 a.m. to arrive in Kingston at the Norman Manley International Airport at 11:55 a.m., before continuing on to Montego Bay. The return flight would depart Kingston at 1:30 p.m. with a brief stop in Montego Bay and then arriving in Toronto at 8:00 p.m.

Air Jamaica last flew out of Canada in 1990. Although the airline has maintained a code share arrangement with Air Canada, which makes several seats available to Air Jamaica on each Air Canada flight, Jamaicans have long expressed disappointment that Air Jamaica was not flying out of Canada.

The return of Air Jamaica to the Canadian skies was a commitment by the airline to fly from any city where there was a large Jamaican population, said Mr. Stewart, who is also the Chairman of Sandals/Beaches Resorts.

Air Jamaica serves 23 destinations in the Caribbean, the United States and the United Kingdom, with a fleet of 20 aircraft and boasts a most modern fleet.
Air Jamaica was recently named the 'Best Airline to the Caribbean' at the World Travel Awards for the fifth consecutive year. It won the Five-Star diamond award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences and was voted World's Best Honeymoon airline Award by Modern Bride magazine.

Jamaica's High Commissioner to Canada, Carl Marshall, who was among the large gathering at the JCA, said this has been the dream of the Jamaican community "to see the lift-off again of Air Jamaica from the Pearson International Airport in Toronto".

Noting that Air Jamaica's success was Jamaica's success, the High Commissioner added that the airline also represented national pride, "a reference point to the growing improvement in Jamaica's profile and reputation, Jamaican entrepreneurial genius and a Jamaican product that stands abreast with the best in the travel industry".

Air Jamaica was returning to the Canadian marketplace and noted that the return of Jamaica's national airline would boost Jamaica's tourism.

Several people were interviewed and shared these sentiments. One lady said can't wait because a lot of times Jamaicans are not treated properly when we travel but Air Jamaica won't do that to us. She also said that she was going to Jamaica for Christmas but I am now going to put it off until the Spring or Summer so that I will be able to travel with Air Jamaica.

Another Jamaican who has been living in Canada for the past 28 years and has never flown with Air Jamaica, said he was looking forward to the resumption date.

Yet another wants to be on that first flight out of Toronto to Jamaica plus going to encourage all my friends and relatives to be on it too.

For many Jamaicans in Canada views this move from the national carrier as a good move in a long-time.

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Can I add what a relief that is!!! Here's one Canadian that thinks its about time!
I also just found out that Air Canada is FINALLY adding a direct non-stop from my hometown of Calgary to MoBay in January. This will provide cheaper and faster transport from Western Canada to God's country (in my opinion).
Up until this option the only way for us to get there is a 12-hour red-eye with a loooooong stopover. Not very Jamaica-friendly.

Thanks for the newsflash KC.

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No problem JC.

Another newsflash!!!

Air Canada will renewed its service from Calgary to Montego Bay, yesterday Saturday, and it will be a weekly charter service that will operate during the winter - for about 19 weeks, allowing the airline to transport tourists from areas like Alberta and British Columbia.

Air Canada says that the resumption of direct flights to and from Calgary will complement its weekly flights from Winnipeg, Montreal and Halifax. The service will also add to daily scheduled service from Toronto into Montego Bay, as well as service from Toronto into Kingston five times per week.

I am am glad to see this as It means more money for the peope of the country namely those in the hospitality & the art and crafts fraternities.

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KC I heard that a few months ago, my travel agent really caters to my Jamaican needs...lol. I'm really glad to see it, because before it took a full 14 hours from Calgary to MoBay, including stopovers and wait times.

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14 hours! how dreadful. it was only about a 4 hour flight for me. you must be exhausted by the time you arrived. it's all well worth it though.

Yes 14 hours. The only flight outta here to MoBay leaves here at 12:25 AM, arrive in Toronto at 6AM, but you sit there for 4 hours and catch another plane at 10AM. Arrive in MoBay at 1:15PM the next day. And God help you if you fall asleep on the first plane because they don't wake you up at 2AM for your meal!! LOL. Really people....who can help falling asleep at that hour! I want my money back for those meals~!

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man I remembered the last time I flew to Toronto it took me 8 hours. For some reason I just hate longer waiting periods & long direct flights. Now to get to Jamaica from Arizona takes 8 hours and some plane hopping, but for cheaper rates then my flying time could be as much as 19hours Please bring back tha concorde.

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Please note that this baby is flying out on the first Air Jamaica flight on April 7th. Skyservice will never see the back of my top again . Air Canada may be carefully considered if the Air J flight is full later on in the 2005-6. Red carpet style I fly

And this baby is flying outta here on Air Canada tentatively April 1. Cityhall, I'll be stopping in your town first, but you'll be gone. I just can't seem to get an Air Jamaica flight from Calgary though....too bad.

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It's for real !! I do visit JamRock several times per year. Jamaica Carnival is one of my favorite times to fête. So I usually depart from this land of cold and snow on or about Good Friday. This year I’ll leave a little earlier because of the new flight out on....... ..... Air J. . Anyhow, nah laugh !! I just noted JamCan's message and realized that you're addressing the April 1st date and not mine.

When your trip can take a total of 23 hours with 4 stops and the longest flight being up to 15 hours..........thats travelling!!

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One World, One People

The opinions expressed by Samba are not the official opinions of ETJ or its owners.