Ms Chandrawattie Haripaul and Ms Rameshri Singh, former Mahaicony residents, now overseas-based, took up the challenge in 2001 at a time when the airline industry was in a crisis following the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

Making this revelation last Saturday was Universal Airlines Vice President (Sales), Mr Mark De Freitas, at the opening of the agency's Berbice Branch at Haswell, Port Mourant.

De Freitas said that Universal is also the first air carrier to offer its service to Berbicians by plying the Rose Hall-Timehri route in order to provide Berbicians with a safer way to travel.

This service is scheduled for Mondays, but arrangements can be made for other days on special request of patrons.

Universal Airlines operates a 767 Boeing aircraft, which had its inaugural flight on December 12, 2001.

In addition to another aircraft and a cargo service to join the 767 Boeing aircraft, Universal also has plans to introduce flight services between Florida and Canada and between Georgetown and Venezuela.

Ms Haripaul, described as the 'first lady' of Universal Airlines, noted that Berbicians constitute 75 per cent of their clients. This fact prompted Universal Airlines to open an office on the Corentyne.

She said it is hoped that the aircraft would become a national carrier. Its staff is 100 per cent Guyanese, Haripaul said.

The airline is hoping that an airstrip would be built at Skeldon to facilitate residents from the Upper Corentyne shuttling to Timehri or Ogle.

First Lady Varshnie Jagdeo, wife of President Bharrat Jagdeo, in a brief statement at the Saturday event, congratulated Universal Airlines on its expanded service.

Mrs Jagdeo also expressed gratitude for the agency's assistance in providing flight tickets for the beneficiaries of the Kids First Fund, which the First Lady heads.

Mr Haribachand Persaud, Senior Vice Chairman, Universal Airlines, gave the welcome address while Mr Krishendat Persaud, Principal Magistrate and executive member of the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, raised the issue of the Government subsidising travel by air for commuters in order for them to avoid traveling through Buxton, East Coast Demerara.

With the assistance of Ms Chandrawattie Haripaul, Mrs Jagdeo cut the ribbon to symbolically open the Berbice Branch of Universal Airlines.