By the Caribbean Journal staff

LIAT has announced plans for further outsourcing of its cargo and Quikpak operations at a number of its Caribbean locations, the air carrier announced Tuesday.

Wilbur Edwards, LIAT’s director of Cargo and Quikpak operations, said the move was a direct response to a “challenging economic environment and escalating costs.”

“This new initiative follows the model already being successfully used by LIAT in most of its destinations,” he said.

Caribbean Airport Services will now provide handling services for cargo in Antigua.

CAS, which is majority owned by LIAT, already provides passenger ground handling services in Antigua.

“The new arrangements are expected to enhance profitability in LIAT’s growing cargo business by reducing operating costs in the highly competitive and cost-sensitive regional cargo market,” Edwards said.

“The outsourcing initiative is being done on a strategic basis to focus on those stations where the company recognizes clear benefits to such a move,” he said.