I AGREE with R.A. Young in supporting the bid by the Airline Pilots' Association to own and run Air Jamaica. I would also like to suggest that if the deal goes through, they sell shares to the public.

I believe a large proportion of Jamaicans, both locally and in the wider diaspora, will want to buy shares in Air Jamaica. Even children at school would be proud to be part-owner of a real Jamaican business.

The Government needs to listen to the Jamaican public more. Failing that, Jamaicans will soon be required to pay 'air tax', paying for the air they breathe and the atmospheric space they occupy. This tax, as you may guess, will be to the bank balances of private, foreign moguls.

I am, etc.,

Les Francis

Manchester

francoash@gmail.com