THE Air Jamaica deal with Caribbean Airlines seems set to take off again with the granting of a 60-day waiver by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) allowing the Lovebird to fly to that country when the Transitional Services Agreement (TSA) between both carriers comes into effect on April 30.

Amidst all the concerns and negative projections which were raised in some quarters recently, I can now confirm that the matter has been resolved and there should be no difficulty for Air Jamaica to access the US going forward, and for Caribbean Airlines to do so, as required, thereafter, said Transport Minister Mike Henry.

On March 24, Air Jamaica wrote to the DOT asking for permission to continue to operate on the terms of its existing authority during the six- to 12-month transition period expected under the divestment agreement with Caribbean Airlines.

Failing that permission, the airline asked the Americans for an urgent waiver of the DOTs standard ownership and control policy, in order for it to maintain services for the one-year period under its TSA with the Trinidad-operated Caribbean Airlines.

In a statement issued yesterday, Henry explained that the waiver, which comes into effect on April 15, will allow for the Air Jamaica/Caribbean Airlines operation to be able to fly in and out of the US.

The waiver, he added further, was granted without opposition from other US-bound carriers from both Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

The DOT, in its confirmation of the granting of the waiver, said it was disinclined to allow uncertainty about whether Air Jamaica is able to continue its US operations under its current authority, pending a formal resolution of the implications of the transition, the release stated.

According to Henry, this should allay fears of any immediate operational hiccup in Air Jamaicas US operations under the transitional agreement with Caribbean Airlines.

The minister also noted that Caribbean Airlines has prepared an application under the Open Skies agreement with the US. The processing time for such an application, according to Henry, is very short, sometimes taking only a day.

He noted also that full access to the US for Caribbean Airlines will ensure that the T&T-based carrier can smoothly service the existing Air Jamaica routes in the future.

Meanwhile, Air Jamaicas president and chief executive officer Bruce Nobles yesterday sought to reassure passengers that operations will continue as usual as the airline prepares for its transition to Caribbean Airlines.

He also reiterated that come April 30 the transition arrangement should be fully in place.

As you would imagine, the negotiations are complex, but we are doing everything to secure the interests of our customers throughout what will be a seamless transition period, which may last up to 12 months, Nobles said in a news release.

According to Nobles, all reservations made and tickets purchased will be honoured and the airline will continue to use the JM code, its current regulatory authorisations, the current fleet of aircraft, and maintain many of its current employees.

He explained further that Air Jamaica still offers the most flights between Jamaica and Fort Lauderdale, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Toronto as its spring schedule goes into effect on April 12 with 161 weekly flights.

As for cargo services, Nobles said the freighter service will continue between Miami and Kingston three times each week.

Let me assure you that Air Jamaica, the little piece of Jamaica, still flies with the usual Lovebird hospitality that you expect, and customers will not see any visible difference during the initial transition period, Nobles said