Mired in debt, Jamaica is handing over its national carrier, Air Jamaica, to Caribbean Airlines on April 12 to offset the former's $500 million deficit. Trinidad and Tobago-based Caribbean Airlines will lease and operate the current Air Jamaica fleet for up to a year on the latter’s “most profitable routes” (aka those to/from North America and Europe). No changes in booking procedures or schedules will take place for now, and Air Jamaica tickets already purchased for flights after April 12 are still valid.