AIR Jamaica has laid off a further 16 pilots as the carrier hobbles closer to its April 30 appointment with divestment.

The pilots were informed of their status in an April 7 letter from Captain Paul Atkinson, director, flight operations, a copy of which was obtained by the Observer.

The letter, which addressed the pilots' bid for flights, informed them that they had not been awarded a position in what is termed the "Establishment Posting".

"You are surplus to the required crew manning and the Human Resources Dept will communicate with you further regarding lay-off status effective Block 6, 2010 for an initial period of 120 days," the letter to the 16 pilots said.

An Air Jamaica staff member who explained that the bids were put out in March told the Observer that the lay-off period was temporary. However, it meant that if the pilots opted for voluntary redundancy they would lose about one-third of their entitlements, including the notice period of two months.

The 16 pilots are among those who have so far not accepted or explored job opportunities in the Middle East and Asia.

According to an Air Jamaica source, at least 16 pilots have taken up offers from overseas airlines since the start of the year.

"Two have gone to Malaysia; four have gone to Vietnam while three others have accepted and are to leave soon; four have already left for the Emirates; five went to Qatar Airways; one is going to China and another one is going there," the source told the Observer.

Last month, the Sunday Observer reported that Air Jamaica pilots were being wooed by at least eight overseas airlines, mostly in the Middle East and Asia.

The story also reported that well over 50 former Air Jamaica pilots were now flying in the Gulf, and at least two had already taken positions in India and Nigeria.

Interest in the national carrier's pilots, rated among the best in the world, increased after it became clear that the Jamaican Government had no interest in a bid by the Jamaican Airline Pilots' Association to acquire Air Jamaica, which the administration must divest or close down before June in keeping with a loan agreement signed with the International Monetary Fund.

The Sunday Observer had obtained a copy of an e-mail from Direct Personnel International, a recruiting agency for Vietnam Airlines, saying that that carrier has a number of positions available for Airbus A320 Captains, TREs (supervisors) and First Officers.

The Government is set to divest Air Jamaica to Trinidad & Tobago's Caribbean Airlines.