European aircraft manufacturer, ATR, says it will continue the manufacture of nine planes ordered by Air Jamaica's parent company Caribbean Airlines, since it has received no word of either a review or cancellation of the order.
Since the US$200 million deal was announced in September, controversy has swirled over the purchase, with the Caribbean Airlines board reportedly not being interested in the planes.
Former CEO of Caribbean Airlines, Captain Ian Brunton, was dismissed over the deal, despite its receipt of Cabinet approval.
However, an ATR spokesman was quoted by the Trinidad Express newspaper as saying that a down payment was already made for the nine aircraft, and they will be delivered next year.
It is believed that 40% of the contract value or US$80 million has already been paid.
The aircraft being built are to replace aging planes used on the route between Trinidad, and its sister island, Tobago.
It is also hoped the new aircraft will provide support for some of the Air Jamaica routes which were recently acquired by Caribbean Airlines.
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