Guyana aviation sector records significant strides

Jul 14, 2013 News

---

 

 

Government officials involved in the aviation sector say that significant strides are being made to better air services in the country. They say that much more has to be done to upgrade the country’s airlift situation, and ultimately improve the tourism situation.
One such massive move is the US$150M Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion project. They say that the expansion will transform and modernize the infrastructural landscape of the country and cater for an influx of visitors who are already starting to flock the country.
The airport, they say, will also cater for various aircraft, including those jumbo size planes that cannot land at the CJIA right now.
The aviation sector received a serious blow when America-based airline- Delta —pulled out earlier this year, citing its inability to compete with other operators. Delta said that it would have to seek more lucrative grounds since it was experiencing a significant decline in passenger loads and by extension, losing revenue.
The announcement came one year after other air carriers; EZjet and RedJet, travelling the Guyana/ New York route would have failed and abandoned their operations. Redjet after only two years of service filed for bankruptcy and suspended all services.
The Barbadian airline said that it was unable to access all markets and thus could not compete.
After just one year, EZjet pulled out. The airline owed Guyanese some $38M when it could not deliver on its promise. The owner was further charged for fraud, and is currently sitting in a Federal prison in the United States.
Added to Guyana’s aviation woes, is now a hike in ticket prices which have air travelers crying for a decrease in airfares. Again the government is pressured to sooth the situation. Opposition parties are calling for price reductions and quick action to fix the aviation problems the country face.
The Ministry of Public Works has however noted that reducing travel taxes will not solve the high ticket price affair. He said that airport services have to be maintained, so a fee must be charged. But like any economist would conclude, relief to the problem could only be solved by addressing the issue of supply in the aviation market.
Minister Robeson Benn said that he cannot agree with the opposition that the travel voucher taxes should decrease.  Pretty soon, the fares will rise again; there will be an increase in ticket purchases, which means an increase in demand, he said.
Benn said, however, that arrangements are being made to accept and scrutinize all operators seeking to service Guyana. On the list, currently, are functioning operators, Caribbean Airlines, LIAT and newcomer; Fly Jamaica.
Fly Guyana is only talking. There is no application, while Fly Jamaica is at the end of processing its flight arrangements .
In a rundown with what is happening with airlines servicing Guyana, Zulficar Mohamed, head of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said that Fly Jamaica has completed most of its documentation. Last week, the airline was issued with the Foreign Operations Certificate, and has already been designated by government for the New York route and Canada. The airline now needs to place the $40M bond with government and apply to the US authorities for operating the NY/Guyana route. Relevant documentation from the Foreign Affairs Ministry would be next, Mohamed noted.
Already Fly Guyana is taking jabs from observers who are keen on preventing another Sonny Ramdeo situation. Like EZjet, partners and financing for the airline have not been made public. It may be too early yet to hammer for that information. Outside of that, dirt-which has already been heaped on the airline’s owner, Harry Chowbey. There have been allegations of fraud and embezzlement among other things.
Chowbey has stated however that his airline will be here to stay and Guyanese would see exceptional service from the carrier. Chowbey has not responded to questions of financing and information on the airlines board of directors or partners.
He told Kaieteur News however, that Fly Guyana will bring exceptional customer service and operational performance with a great product and at competitive prices.
He promised, “There will be non-stop services to all destinations served from Guyana. It will also have convenient timing and frequencies that will be attractive to the passengers. I have been in Aviation for over 25 years with the two largest and most profitable Airlines in the world. All Fly Guyana staff will have extensive experiences in operational performance, customer service, pricing and product knowledge all related to Air Transport.”
“Fly Guyana’s airfare will be competitive, affordable and fair to the Guyanese people. The experience will be phenomenal in terms of Customer Service, Senior Citizens Comfort, Guyanese Food, Dignity, Respect and Care for everyone,” Chowbey continued.
The owner of Fly Guyana, Mohamed said, was met some time ago. Chowbey came and presented some documentation to the Minister, but not in the form of application. The gentleman then visited the GCAA authority and was edified of the operation procedures that have to be followed. GCAA said they are still awaiting Chowbey’s submission of his business plan and application.
LIAT has overcome hurdles by it countries civil aviation authorities about operating out of newly acquired Regional class airport, Ogle. They were issued with the foreign operation specification two, to operate the airlines newly acquired aircrafts. In the next two weeks, LIAT will start operating day flights from Ogle, while night flights will be at CJIA.
Suriname Airways intends to add another route and has acquired a third aircraft. Mohamed said that the Dutch airline will go through Guyana and Curacaos into Miami Florida.
As for the CJIA expansion, this year’s budget cuts will not stall the project. Benn said that the government intends to go ahead with the expansion project because some US$20M has already been invested for mobilization, field and laboratory works.
The CJIA upgrade and expansion project comprises a  new terminal building measuring 16,000 square meters, that will have eight  passenger boarding bridges, two  elevators; and CCTV and departures control systems.
The project also involves the extension of the airport’s main runway by 3,500ft to a final length of 10,500ft, capable of accommodating the Boeing 747-400 aircraft and the construction of eight International Parking Positions including a dedicated position for cargo aircraft.
Benn indicated that money spent cannot go down the line because jobs will also be created.  He said several auxiliary services are anticipated and the country’s tourism potential is likely to be bolstered with the influx of visitor arrivals.
An annual average of 4,000 international flights and 600,000 passengers arrive at the CJIA, and these numbers are expected to double in the near future and by the year 2030, triple, it was noted.

---

---