Latest update November 8th, 2024 1:00 AM
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Travelspan’s arrival brings fresh hopes of lower fares
“We are all about providing quality service, on time performance and excellent prices,” stated David Gooberdhan, a top Travelspan official shortly after the Boeing 767 landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) yesterday morning.
The airline has returned commercial flights to local skies after a five-year absence. It has come at a time when Guyana is badly in need of extra seats for the Georgetown/New York route.
Passengers disembarking the Travelspan flight yesterday.
Even the rains could not have dented the significance of the landing.
It came at the peak travel time when Guyanese are flying home to spend the holidays.
Guyana has been depending on the Trinidad-owned Caribbean Airlines and Fly Jamaica, an airline based in Jamaica and is partially owned by Guyanese pilot, Ronald Reece.
With 229 persons on board, the airline joins Venezuelan, CONVIASA, as the two newest airlines to ply the Guyana route, a release from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport said.
According to Minister of Public Works and Transport, Robeson Benn, the return of Travelspan augurs well for the aviation sector.
“We are making inroads hence the need for a new terminal building. With all the airlines I envision that will be touching down at CJIA – the passenger flow will be boosted significantly,” the official said.
Meanwhile, the airport’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ramesh Ghir, expressed his appreciation to the airline’s officials for their confidence in returning to Guyana.
The 18 year-old company, with head office based in the United States of America, had halted charted flights in 2008.
Travelspan has announced round trip tickets as low as US$647 (one way US$349) using its wide-body Boeing 767 aircraft. The company is also conducting flights from North America to Trinidad.
Guyana has been pulling out all stops to attract additional operators after low cost carriers RedJet and then EZjet folded last year.
US-owned Delta Airlines also pulled out earlier this year, leaving Caribbean Airlines the only operator on the critical Georgetown/New York route.
Fares jumped to a high of US$1,600 at one time, forcing Government to summon Caribbean Airlines.
The New York destination has long been one eyed by operators because of the number of Guyanese living there.
Travelspan’s President, Nohar Singh, yesterday said that his company is prepared for a long stay in Guyana.
Travelspan has hired a number of industry experts to be on its team. The company has teamed up with Vision Airlines, a US company, for the flights.
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