USTDA supports development of regional air cargo, aircraft maintenance hub

The US Trade and Development Agency ( USTDA) has granted US$390,572 to Trinidad & Tobago's airport authority (AATT) to support a strategic development plan for aircraft maintenance and air cargo facilities at Piarco International Airport (PIA), USTDA reported on its website. Located 24km east of capital Port of Spain, PIA is the largest airport in the Caribbean. Currently, 18 international airlines and seven cargo carriers serving 26 international destinations operate out of the facility. AATT plans to make PIA a major hub for passenger and cargo traffic in the Americas by integrating aviation-related services - such as air cargo, warehousing, logistics, aircraft maintenance and repair - into the overall airport development plan. Developing an aviation service center would accommodate anticipated air cargo growth and diversify economic activity at the airport, the information said. The USTDA grant will fund investment analysis aimed at developing a new cargo facility, maintenance, repairs, and overhaul infrastructure, and an air cargo logistics center, among others. US consulting firm Simat, Helliesen & Eichner was selected by AATT to provide the USTDA-funded assistance. The firm will also contribute additional resources to complete the study.