BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PLANS for LIAT (1974) Ltd. to introduce a new cargo service to the region have been postponed until later this year, as final preparations continue to for the much needed regional service.
Late last year the regional air carrier had announced its intentions to convert one of its three Dash 8 (100) aircrafts into a full-fledged freighter. In late October of 2009, the aircraft was sent to Canada for conversion to a cargo carrier, but its expected November 2009 return was delayed due to technical requirements of the aircraft and the unavailability of parts.
Corporate Communications Manager Desmond Brown, in a recent company statement, noted that LIAT looks forward to launching its cargo service later this year as the manufacturer and the relevant authorities near the final approvals for the full conversion.
“The company has engaged the services of the sole authorized manufacturer of the cargo conversion kit, and the manufacturer is concluding discussions with regulatory authorities in Canada on all approvals required for LIAT’s introduction of the cargo service.”
Brown noted that LIAT is already preparing its staff for the new cargo service, as employees have already been trained and a computerized system has been installed throughout the airline’s network. The airline anticipates significant benefits as a result of this business move.
“Once the new cargo service comes on stream, customers for the first time will be able to book cargo online on the company’s web site. Already, there has been considerable interest by regional manufacturers, agricultural exporters and other traders in the start-up of the service,” he added.
The LIAT official said the company views the new service as a “very important project” that would actualise a long standing wish for the Caribbean to have an indigenous air freight service. The cargo service fits well into the overall efforts of the airline to maintain itself as a viable carrier serving the people of the Eastern Caribbean.
LIAT will provide a new date for the start of its cargo service in a subsequent news release.
