The awards recognized the dedication and contribution of the travels agents to Universal Airlines in the New York area.

The awards for Overall Outstanding Performance went to Bobbie's Travel, Travel Span Vacations and Yulini Travel Agency Inc.

The Awards for Top Area Performance were given to J & J Travels & Tours - Queens, NY; Papos Travel - Bronx, NY; and American Travel Service - Brooklyn, NY; Aries Travel Inc. - New Jersey

In her remarks during the awards, Mrs. Chandramatie Harpaul, CEO\Chairwoman said, "travel agents are an integral part of our airline. With them we are an airline, without them there is no Universal Airlines."

"They are our family, all the way", she added.

Sudarshan Singh, President of Universal Airlines, compared the birth of Universal Airlines to that of the Wright Brother's first flight. "The Wright Brothers had the courage, vision and guts, the Sisters had even more courage, vision and guts to make it happen, and still so after two successful years."

Many of the agents reiterated their support for the airline and commended Universal for maintaining comfort, affordability and frequency, "the key ingredients lacking for a very long time for Caribbean passengers."

Universal currently flies to Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad, New York, Ft. Lauderdale, St. Kitts and Haiti starting December 17th.

Guyanese passengers enjoy three non-stop flights to Guyana weekly. Canada and Brazil are destination being planned for early 2004.