EXEC DIRECT AVIATION (EDA), a new regional all-cargo airline, will begin services next month between Jamaica and Curacao and with on-demand charters to the Caribbean and Latin America.

In a statement today, EDA said that its Jamaican owners invested $1.5 million in the airline, including the acquisition of a Saab 340A cargo aircraft, which can transport 8,000 pounds of cargo for approximately 600 miles.

“Exec Direct Aviation’s rates are competitive and our service will fill a gap in the movement of goods in the region, and thereby contribute to regional trade. The western Caribbean has lacked frequent, reliable, dedicated intra-island air cargo service for quite some time. We are targeting the micro business sector, large corporations in the Caribbean and we are hoping to play a major role in assisting exporters in the expansion of their markets to places such as Haiti and other islands within the region,” said EDA Chief Operating Office Kamal Clarke.

Clarke says said that it will also make available its aircraft – complete with crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) – to other airlines within the region.

Flights will operate out of the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston while handling will be provided by AJAS. EDA’s corporate office is located on Ripon Road in the Cross Roads area of the capital