The Editor, Sir:

It is absolutely amazing at just how burdensome on taxpayers several government entities are. Air Jamaica, National Solid Waste Management Authority, Sugar Company of Jamaica and JUTC alone cost us, as taxpayers, billions of dollars yearly. Much of the haemorrhaging on the part of these companies is linked to mismanagement, poor corporate culture, profligacy and in some cases corruption.

Thankfully, with a new political directorate elected on a platform of 'change', one would have thought that the varying interests in these entities would have allowed the installed management teams to put in place the urgent reforms that are crucial to, in the very least, stem the haemorrhaging.

Air Jamaica is a case in point. Some of the employees seem to forget the simple fact that the carrier has cost taxpayers well over a US$1 billion in the last decade and a half. In many progressive societies, the Government would have shut down the airline without batting an eyelid.

Bearing in mind that there would be some fallout from a closed down Air Jamaica, it would, be short-lived. The fact is, market forces would, over time, fill the gap and possibly bring about a more competitive environment, complemented by lower airfares.

Truth is, many of us Jamaicans are willing to put a sense of patriotism over economic rationalism. As such, we all want to see Air Jamaica flying.

I welcome the new Air Jamaica administration plans to reform the carrier and, more specifically, its drive to rein in losses. I also welcome the new government's efforts to take the burden of the airline off the backs of taxpayers once and for all. I implore all concerned to make good sense prevail.

I am, etc.,

JAMES ROBINSON

Portmore, St. Catherine