Ogle Airport operators must be competitive – Ramotar

May 10, 2012 News

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Services offered at the Ogle Airport are now indispensable. The location has become a major hub for interior flights. It enables miners and  timber operators an assured source to move their supplies and personnel, says President Donald Ramotar.
According to Ramotar, Ogle has a great future. The airport is ideally located in proximity of population centres and is therefore convenient as a connecting port between hinterland and the coast.

He said that with the growing demand for interior flights owing to increasing economic activities, more development in hinterland communities the time is now for operators to look for future investments perhaps in larger planes and increased fleets that could move greater amounts of people and cargo.
The Head-of-State said, “Without this service many far flung areas inaccessible by other means of transport would have found themselves isolated from the coastland and from further progress.”
He added that Government wants to see an increase in the proportion of persons being able to utilize air transport in and out of the interior.
“I am supportive and I am sure the private sector is of the same mindset of ensuring that through regulations applied consistently and equitably, we can ensure the continued development of the air transport and avoid any possibility of disadvantaging anyone in the industry,” Ramotar said.
Delivering remarks at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the airport expanded runway, Ramotar said that Government is not interested in taking over this aerodrome or its management.
He assured that Government has a wider obligation to ensure that investments made at this facility promote robust competition so that the consumers that utilize services offer here do not suffer.
“The general point of competitive fares should not be lost on our local aviation operators… We understand the operators that run this facility need to make a return on their investment but we are sure that these operators are conscious of the important social service they provide to many communities and citizens of Guyana, who would expect given the level of investments made here that they should derive some benefits at minimal through more affordable fares for them.”
He said that his comments do not reflect a criticism of the tariff structure used.
Operators were encouraged to be more competitive and appreciative that with more affordable fares there will be greater business, public confidence and support for public-private projects.
Ramotar assured that Government will not shirk its responsibilities of supporting air transport. He said that substantial sums have been set aside in the national budget to maintain airstrips across Guyana.
“Completion of the extension of the runway forms part of our progressive plan to develop Ogle into a major municipal aerodrome and a port of entry and departure for regional flights including those for destinations such as neighbouring Brazil, Suriname and the Caribbean.”
“The Ogle Airport Development Project was never conceived as a means of replacing or undercutting our main international airport at Timehri. We also have major plans for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. This year we will commence work there. The work entails extending the existing runway by some 3,500 foot, the construction of a new terminal, air bridges and taxiway,” he added.
The Head-of-State emphasized that when those modernization works are completed the country’s main port of entry will allow larger planes to land while conforming to international aviation and regulatory standards.
Ramotar noted, “These plans, including the ones for Ogle, are all part of Government’s recognition of the importance of air transport sector as a major service provider and catalyst for increased economic activity.”
According to Chairperson of the Ogle International Airport Board, Michael Correia, Ogle International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the Region with approximately 100 flights daily moving over 200 passengers and 15 tons of cargo across our borders and to all parts of Guyana.
He noted that the airport at present has 10 scheduled international flights to Suriname. It is playing an important role in fostering trade and developing closer relationships with Guyana’s neighbours to the east.
Correia noted that similar services are provided to Brazil. Currently there are 24 scheduled flights to Lethem. “This runway meets international standards and is now in the class of 4,200 feet long by 100 feet wide 2C Regional Runway,” he said.
He enlightened that by December regional big aircraft would commence accessing the airport. He explained that the completion of the runway in itself does not complete the certification of the Phase 11.
“Additional works, including the installation of runway lights, terminal enhancements, parking apron, taxiways, fencing, drainage, among other requirements, will cost OAI an additional $4M,” Correia said.

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