A US private airline company is offering Grenada airlift services, including direct charter flights to and from Miami, that would have a significant impact on the tourist trade. Keith St. Clair and Dr. Mark Ginsburg of Air Newco, of Florida visited Grenada on Friday, September 28, 2007, looking at prospects for doing business with economic stakeholders. Visiting at the invitation of Grenada's Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Denis Antoine, the US businessmen met and held discussion with Prime Minister, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, on the proposed venture which is intended to be of benefit to Grenada. The US investors are of the impression that Grenada has the potential to become a leading tourist destination, once the right infrastructure is in place. They say Grenada can become the hub for aviation activities with traffic for private jets and small airlines to and from South Florida. Apart from servicing travel destinations, Air Newco has shown a desire to shuttle Caribbean destinations which would require seaplane access. Air Newco, sponsored by Strategica Capital Partners, Nationwide Laboratories and JJK LLC., has identified Grenada as being ideal to serve desirable niche markets, including high-end corporate charters seeking aircraft resources and support services that are not usually available with normal charter services. Air Newco also wants to provide medical services, including the transportation of medical specimens, which is known to be a demanding, time-sensitive and profitable sector. Mr. St. Clair believes Grenada has the necessary ingredients for the proposed development to succeed. He is enthusiastic about the beauty and infrastructure Grenada possesses. According to him, "With all that and a more reliable air transport system, this can be a big opportunity for development." AIR Newco also brings aircraft maintenance capabilities which will eventually result in the creation of jobs for Grenadians. While here, St. Clair and Dr. Ginsburg of Air Newco will be looking at possible sites for the construction of an aircraft maintenance facility and has already looked at areas in Pearls and Beausejour to determine what infrastructure is necessary to get the job done. The company has already built similar facilities in Dominican Republic and South Florida and has chosen Grenada as an ideal site for another one. Dr. Ginsburg says Air Newco is interested in building with the growth of the destination, especially with the plethora of developmental projects on stream. "That means the need for more flights into the island is becoming more and more apparent." Prime Minister Mitchell welcomes this new initiative and has committed his Government's full support to the project. "This offer is coming in the right time for Grenada," remarked Dr. Mitchell. He suggested that the investors meet with the Aviation Committee to make an aggressive move towards the fulfillment of this dream. Endorsing the project, the Grenadian leader believes more chartered flights could becoming Grenada's way, boosting tourism and the economy in general, once all goes well. Source: Government Information Service