Miami's Arrow Air faces closure and 473 layoffs

ARROW Air has announced its imminent closure at Miami International Airport, which would result in a layoff of entire 473 workforce unless an investor come to the rescue.

"The revenue environment has been tough," said Arrow vice president Patrice Robinet. "Fuel has gone up and yields have gone down."

Mr Robinet said investor talks were in progress, but would not confirm or deny reports that Centurion Air Cargo was interested in the business.

According to Air Cargo News, Miami-based Centurion Air Cargo has expressed and interest in creating an all-cargo airline with particular strength in Latin America.

The idea envisioned Centurion absorbing Arrow's MD-11Fs, DC-10Fs and B757 freighters, which carried little volume last year, down 41.5 per cent year on year at Miami airport.

MIA spokesman Marc Henderson told the South Florida Business Journal that it was too early to say whether it would impact cargo volumes with a possible buy-out on the cards and other carriers picking up the slack but "obviously, we don't want to see anyone lose their job."

(Source: www.schednet.com)