(Antigua Sun) – A new airline is set to begin servicing Montserrat in the near future in order to further stimulate the island’s economic growth.
Montserrat Airways Limited (MA Ltd), which will fly under the name ‘Fly Montserrat’, is expected to begin by 1 June 2009 and is currently in the process of getting all the necessary documentation together to meet this goal.
A release from the airline on Tuesday stated that its first Britten-Norman Islander was being painted in the Fly Montserrat livery and should be delivered before the end of May. The company will seek to acquire other aeroplanes as time goes on.
According to a press statement, Managing Director of the airline, Captain Nigel Harris, said “the development of tourist related services will be a priority for the company.” This has been the company’s conviction since it was incorporated in Nov. 2007.
He added that Montser-rat’s current level of accessibility is inadequate.
“A Montserrat-based airline will provide the stability, reliability and flexibility to transfer visitors to Montserrat, as well as other islands.” MA Ltd has stressed that the local airline must be recognised as an integral part of the island’s infrastructure, no different to other essential public utilities. In this way, it will be able to, at short notice, offer: round-the-clock air ambulance evacuations, urgent, freight movements, additional transport capacity at peak periods, on demand charters directly to Antigua and Barbuda and other islands, and day trips to Montserrat and other islands (for residents of Montserrat).
In yesterday’s statement, the company announced its gratitude and acceptance of funds it received from the Montserrat Tourist Board British Department for International Development (DFID).
