New airline to land at E T Joshua airport

As plans are being finalised to have the Caribbean Sun airlines spread its wings onto the runway of the Canouan airport, it seems another airline is preparing to nest a fleet here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Searchlight learnt that a new airline, Executive Air, is to set up operations here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The airline is expected to travel between Canouan, Union Island, Mustique, St. Vincent and Barbados. {{more}}

As the tourism industry continues to prepare itself for an expected influx in passengers through direct flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Canouan a number of these airline carriers will be in the run to meet the demands of additional intra-island travel between the Grenadines and St. Vincent.

And John Ackie, one of the persons behind Executive Air has assured Searchlight the company is in fact flying down a fleet of aircraft from Miami to commence its operations here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Speaking from his Miami home Monday night Ackie confirmed that Executive Airlines would be operating through the Grenadines, Barbados and mainland St. Vincent: “We will be definitely starting our operation shortly.”

The Vincentian-owned and operated company will be offering regular passenger shuttle flights, along with charters on a more regular schedule than is now offered to and from the Grenadines.

“People here, especially from the Grenadines, have been calling for better service. I am disheartened to know that CSME is quickly approaching us, and all this talk about intra-regional travel and free movement of people. And yet, right here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines we cannot get a flight from Union, Mustique or Canouan on a Sunday or during any normal periods during the week…” Ackie told Searchlight. “All I have to say is I am happy to know that my mother who lives in Union Island and other persons from the Grenadines can travel to mainland on a regular basis whenever they feel the need to do so.”

The pilot, who is currently in Miami on business preparing plans for the operation of Executive Airlines, refrained from commenting on the size of the fleet the airline plans for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. “We have well over enough carriers to operate between the islands and still provide private charters when necessary,” Ackie assured.

“I want the public to know that this company is going to be operated by locals; it is owned by Vincentians for Vincentian people,” he said.

Ackie stated that Executive Airlines is here to serve the Vincentian public and will bring a fresh taste to the local aviation industry.

“We will be providing a more efficient service, our aircraft are much better than what is currently being used by the other companies here…I want everyone to indulge in the ambience that Executive Air is going to provide,” he said.

The new airline is expected to start its operations with private charters and will provide shuttle service between the Grenadines and mainland in the coming weeks.