BRIDGETOWN, July 21: The major air carriers based in the Caribbean landed a major contract for next year's cricket World Cup.The consortium of Caribbean Star, BWIA West Indies Airlines, LIAT, and Air Jamaica were awarded the contract to be the official carrier for teams, media, sponsors, VIPs, and tournament officials during the March-April showpiece.

''It's a humongous achievement and it shows there is faith in the regional air carriers,'' Stephen Price, the tournament's commercial manager, said on Thursday.

''It will link all the carriers of the region under one roof. It says a lot, too, about the steps they are willing to take in terms of ensuring that the transportation for the tournament is successful.''

The World Cup opening ceremony is at new Greenfield Stadium in Trelawney, Jamaica on March 11.

The first round will be played in St Kitts, Jamaica, Trinidad and St Lucia from March 13-25.

The Super 8s second round will be played in Barbados, Guyana, Grenada and Antigua from March 27 to April 21.

The semi-finals will be in St Lucia and Jamaica on April 24 and 25, and the final in Barbados on April 28.

Pre-tournament matches will run from March 5-9 in Barbados, Trinidad, St Vincent and Jamaica.—AP