How can we make regional airlines a success?
Dear Editor,
Caribbean interregional travel is in the news again.
The discussion centres on the lack of interregional airlines to service our small islands as well as getting people into the cabins and the cost of doing so.
Can interregional airlines make a proper comeback without thinking of the other spaces on their planes and the extra services they can provide?
Did anyone outside of the Caribbean logistics industry know that LIAT had the fastest courier service, bar none, in the region?
Has anyone ever seen promotions selling express package services in the region? Why can you receive every little thing bought on Amazon but not two bottles of jerk seasoning from Jamaica or a primary school book from Guyana which may be out of stock where you are?
The point I hope to make is that any discussions regionally on inter-Caribbean airlines or any other type of transportation must include the logistics industry — customs brokers, cargo agents, etc. There is more income that can be generated other than from the ticket.
Leaving us out means that we have hobbled efforts for success from the outset — again.
Louis Forde
Vice-President
Caribbean Association of Customs Brokers
lafordelogistics@hotmail.com