Montserrat Airways Islander aircraft

"We believe Montserrat deserves to be self sufficient and control its lifeline link." These are the words of Nigel Harris of Montserrat Airways Ltd (MA). following his most recent efforts to involve the people and Government of Montserrat (GoM) to establish an air-link for Montserrat. The company believes: "Ours is a refreshing new approach to air access, that will solve the historical poor service we have received..."

In a proposal addressed to the new Minister of Communications and Works Minister, Charles Kirnon, Harris wrote: "Montserrat Airways is dedicated to delivering an Airline that Montserrat can be truly proud of."

The locally registered airline company with address of Old Towne, Montserrat, and which is seeking participation from local investors along side the Government of Montserrat, is not all together new as the incorporators operated an airline company prior to volcanic eruption in 1995.

In the letter to Minister Kirnon, attached was an original proposal dated 6th August, 2007 along with subsequent Business plan which was submitted to The Montserrat Development Corporation in November, 2007.
According to the airline company the two proposals call for an investment by the GoM of EC$1.1 million approximately US$407,500.
The Managing Director, Nigel Harris submitted a 28 point summary of the proposal which included:
1. Self sufficiency for Montserrat    [same as could apply to sustainable energy, locally grown food etc]
2. A home grown tailor made solution by the people, for the people.
3. Montserrat alone will control what it wants - Air ambulance; freight, day trippers, frequency and fares.
4. MA working actively alongside MTB to promote tourism.
5. Our 'looks new' Islander can be working within weeks.  A Twin Otter can follow shortly thereafter.
6. There is, and will continue to be, private sector investment.

The company makes it clear that it is not seeking a subsidy and that point is summarised as follow, no doubt remembering the Chief Minister's comments on the issue. "We do not ask for any subsidy - only equity participation.  Similar to the 'pump priming' finance from DFID for the ferry. The majority of the required funding is secure in that it is asset financing."

In November last year when the company began its efforts with a new airline Chief Minister Dr. Lewis addressed the issue of assistance and susidy: "As far as to how government can assist the new venture, Lewis reminded: "If we say to WINAIR we cannot give you a subsidy, how can we turn around to any other airline that we will offer a susbsidy?"

In the meantime they make it clear also that MA believes that a ferry will compliment its role.  "We support a ferry," it adds suggesting that they also believe that DFID would support government intervention.

A spokesman for the company said that at this point, they are anxiously awaiting a response from GoM, while noting that there has been a decline in numbers for the last three years of arrivals, "With a home-grown Montserrat e.g. the month of July. In 2007 there was 9.8% decline which stood at 13.2% in 2008.
"We can work to turn those numbers around," MA said adding, that the whole subject of access needs a public debate and that GoM should "openly declare its policy on access, and facilitate open debate amongst all interested parties."

Last year the venture received good encouragement in words from the tourist board: "The Montserrat Tourist Board supports and endorses any activity that will enhance the access capabilities of Montserrat whether by ferry or airline," the Director of Tourism Ernestine Cassell said.

In its proposal it is also said, "We will both attend any key meeting to move our proposal to fruition."     

Mr. Harris previously owned and managed Montserrat Airways out of W H Bramble Airport between 1990- 96 using two Islander aircraft. At the time of his announcement of plans for this new venture he said that if GoM and the people of Montserrat came through with the much needed funds to start the new service, "it can be up and running early next year..."