Employees of Fly Jamaica Airways have been made redundant, effective March 31, 2019.

In a letter to members of staff yesterday, the airline’s chairman and CEO Paul Ronald Reece said that the company “regrets to inform you (staff) that due to our lack of aircraft and the impact that it had on the company’s financial position, we have no alternative but to make all our employees redundant ... ”.

On November 9, 2018, Fly Jamaica’s Boeing 757-200 aircraft overshot the runway at Guyana’s main international airport, injuring several people.

It was reported that the plane, which was on its way to Toronto, reported a hydraulic failure emergency shortly after taking off from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and returned after less than 20 minutes.

Reece, in his letter to staff, said: “It is with regret, sadness, and remorse that we have arrived at this juncture. We were hoping for funding, but that has been slow in coming, therefore, for the time being, no other resources or options exist.”

Fly Jamaica’s CEO said that the company, which has been in operation for six years, was committed to paying workers sums owed from November 2018. However, it is asking for more time to settle its obligations.

“If the company’s circumstances change in the future and you are still interested in employment with the company, you will be invited to apply for a position within the company,” Reece said.