The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) wants the government to explain the so-called wet lease arrangements currently being negotiated between Air Jamaica and Caribbean Airlines.

The Trinidad based company is said to be in the final stages of discussions to take over Jamaica’s state owned airline.

Referring to an article in Monday’s edition of Aviation Daily, the Opposition Spokesman on Transport Robert Pickersgill, said a wet-lease plan would require the establishment of a new entity.

He says the article quotes Air Jamaica’s Chief Executive Officer Bruce Nobles as saying the new airline would be using the air Jamaica fleet, its Air Operator Certificate and bilateral agreements as part of the new wet lease arrangements.

According to Mr. Pickersgill, the new airline would also be operating under the Air Jamaica code, using the same tickets and taking bookings through its reservation systems.

However, he says such an arrangement raises several issue.

Mr. Pickersgill is also questioning whether Caribbean Airlines can be given exclusive national carrier status.

He says the Government needs to clarify whether, under international law and practice, airlines designated as a national carrier must be majority owned and effectively controlled by the nationals of the designated state.