Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Two weeks after Air Jamaica's new CEO, Edward Wegel, was scheduled to report for work, he is yet to turn up.

The CEO did not turn up for work on September 1, the date in his contract, nor was he at his desk on September 3, the revised date and up to yesterday, 14 days later, he had still not taken up the position.

Airline sources said this is the second time that the former vice-president of corporate planning at Mesa Air Group has reneged on Air Jamaica. The source said more than two years ago, Wegel accepted an offer to be the chief financial officer but failed to report for duties.

Yesterday, calls to Air Jamaica Chairperson Shirley Williams went unanswered, as she was said to be off the island and Paul Pennicook, a senior vice-president at the airline, declined to comment on the matter.

Looking for buyer

The country's financially troubled airline has been looking for a private sector buyer, but one airline specialist, John T. Gilmore, believes it will have a hard time attracting offers.

Wegel, who served as president and CEO of BWIA International Airways and was co-founder of Atlantic Coast Airlines, was selected for the job over David Banmiller, former Aloha Airlines CEO.

In a news report, Banmiller was quoted as saying, "It was clear that there was a significant difference of opinion on key corporate governance issues and the authority level of the CEO." In a statement, he continued: "We were simply not aligned and my experience told me to stand by my position in order to attempt a successful turnaround."