Conway aims at GREATER HEIGHTS for Air Jamaica

AIR JAMAICA'S new chief executive officer, Michael Conway, said one of his immediate objectives at the national carrier is the improvement of the airline's reliability and on-time performance.

In an interview with Hospitality Jamaica last Thursday, the airline industry veteran, who officially takes up his post on November 1, promised that this will be done in very short order.

"We also have to get the airline on sound financial footing despite the challenges with record high fuel charges. Once we are able to do those things, the possibility of route refinement will kick in," he said.

RECORDED LOSS

For the first eight months of the year the recently re-nationalised carrier recorded a loss US$79 million (J$4,712 billion). Almost half of this figure immediate past Chairman Dr. Vin Lawrence attributes to compulsory maintenance work on aircraft.

Mr. Conway, whose reputation precedes him, took the airline to profitability within 10 months of taking over its operations in 1974, while maintaining a second-to-none safety record carrying millions of passengers. Under his watch, the airline won the coveted Conde Nast Traveller magazine award in 2000 for superior service over every other major United States airline.

When asked if he believed the island's national carrier could go back to the days when it made a profit, he said: "If I didn't believe Air Jamaica could make a profit, I wouldn't have taken the job." He however, added: "I don't know how long it will take us to get there (profitability)."

With over 30 years under his belt in the airline industry, Mike Conway's arrival at the airline which changed hands last December from the Air Jamaica Acquisition Group (AJAG) back to the Government is being met with great enthusiasm. conway

"We have a first class CEO with a successful background in the airline industry," said new chairman O.K. Melhado. "Successful in the building and running of airlines, with that combination, he is a great asset and we are excited about that."

­ J.S.

PROFILE

* 1969-1980: Was named PriceWaterhouse's lead airline
specialist.

* 1980-1981: Served as vice-president and controller at Continental Airlines. He resigned to become a
co-founder of America West Airlines.

* 1981-1993: Held several senior executive positions at America West Airlines. He served as CEO during the carrier's restructuring and record profitability. At the time he was one of the youngest CEOs of a major airline in the U.S.

At America West, Mike Conway developed the airline's employee
programmes and was responsible for the carrier's unique and non-contentious labour culture.

During his tenure the airline carried 40 million passengers and had an impeccable safety record. His departure in 1993 was the result of a difference of opinion over a reorganisation plan preferred by the board of directors.

* 1995-2003: He commenced his career at National Airlines, where after a short period serving as a Financial and Aviation Consultant he became senior founder, CEO, president and chairman.

Until his appointment as CEO of Air Jamaica, he was a senior adviser in an international investment and restructuring bank.