Global aviation squeeze

Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) Deputy Director of Tourism for the Americas Philip Rose says Jamaica needs more airline seats to meet strong demand as carriers face aircraft shortages and higher fuel costs amid the impact of the war in the Middle East. Addressing the media during the Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) forum in Ocho Rios on Tuesday, Rose said Jamaica’s immediate challenge is not a lack of demand, but having enough airline seats to bring visitors to the island. “The immediate thing that we do need is more seats into the destination. The good news is, and I really want this to land, the good news is the airlines know this. The airlines are preparing because they don’t want to leave business on the table. The airlines know that the demand is there. The airlines are preparing to put in additional flights,” he said. His comments come as Jamaica’s tourism industry continues its recovery following last year’s Hurricane Melissa, with hotel capacity gradually returning and airlines looking to adjust their schedules accordingly.

Jamaica Tourist Board Deputy Director of Tourism for the Americas Philip Rose speaks during the Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) 2026 at Moon Palace in Ocho Rios, St Ann, on Monday. (Photo: Jamaica Tourist Board)

Rose said the global aviation industry is itself under pressure, making it difficult for airlines to simply add capacity whenever demand rises. He pointed to higher fuel costs linked to developments in the Middle East, as well as problems affecting aircraft engines, servicing and maintenance. “As you all know, there are global pressures now on the aviation space. What’s happening out there in the Middle East has really impacted oil prices, which impacts fuel prices. In the best of days, the margins are exceedingly thin for airlines. You’re going to add this increase in jet fuel, it puts additional pressure on the industry,” he explained.   “Along with that, there is a shortage of aircraft because of issues to do with the engines, which I won’t really bore you all with. There are some service and maintenance things that are going on, which means a lot of aircraft have been pulled out of service,” he added. The result, he said, is that Jamaica cannot depend on unlimited airline capacity, even as demand remains strong “Airlines across the world don’t have infinite aircraft. That means that seats are not infinite. When the seats are full, the seats are full. Because of the demand that we have been generating for Jamaica, the vast majority of the flights into Jamaica are full,” he added. Still, Rose said the outlook for airlift is positive, with airlines preparing to increase service as more hotel rooms become available. He said airlines are also preparing to return to the flight schedules that existed before Hurricane Melissa, although they first have to resolve their own aircraft availability issues and factor in Jamaica’s accommodation capacity.