Every operator must comply with the requirements set out in OAI’s Land Use Policy

May 03, 2019 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,

On three separate occasions Kaieteur News has subjectively published biased and hostile reports on the question of land distribution administered by Ogle Airport Inc. (OAI) at the Eugene F Correia International Airport.
The publications were on the 7th, 10th and 14th April, and were based on hitherto, undisclosed sources, but never once consulted Ogle Airport for their position on the matter.
In publishing these articles, Kaieteur News has consistently and blatantly violated the basic tenets of fair and balanced news reporting essential to the protection of freedom of the press and of information.
Kaieteur News is already before the Court for libel for exactly this unprofessional behaviour and, in their defense, was forced to disclose that Ms. Annette Arjoon-Martins, an Executive of Air Services Ltd., is their source of information.
For the benefit of the public who are subjected to this irresponsible reporting, Ogle Airport Inc. must emphasise that the company has, strictly, in accordance with its Lease Agreement with the government, established and is implementing a fully transparent process for land distribution for both airside and landside land, which provides access to all aircraft operators regardless of whether deemed to be small or large, on a fair, equitable and equal basis.
OAI wishes to point out that no commercial aircraft operator is automatically entitled to airside or landside land. Every operator must comply with the requirements set out in OAI’s Land Use Policy.
Every operator is advised of these requirements after expressing an interest in applying for land. These requirements are for the purpose of ensuring fair, equal and equitable access to meet the Airport’s land development plans.
Each application must be specific to purpose.
Every operator is required to respect and meet these requirements in their applications which are finally reviewed and decided upon by the OAI Board, strictly on the basis of first qualifying first served.
A fundamental requirement for obtaining access to land is that the applicant must be financially capable of meeting the cost of the requested development within the prescribed deadline for the commencement of construction.
This requirement is for the purpose of preventing commercial land speculation. While the Airport has been overly flexible to accommodate operators in the past, in this regard, this will no longer be tolerated.
In the case of Mr. Emil Jahan of Hinterland Aviation, interest initiated by that company in 2015 for airside land, by Mr. Jahan’s own admission in his most recent letter of Expressions of Interest of 10th April, 2019, Hinterland Aviation was unable to meet the financial requirements for proceeding with its application.
The allegation of Mr. Jahan that small operators are being placed at a disadvantage in comparison with what he describes as “other wealthy companies” is utter nonsense.
The aviation business is highly competitive. Whether large or small, operators compete for like customers and business and must be financially capable of complying with their financial obligations to the Airport and, critically, complying with the safety regulations imposed for commercial flying.
It is not the responsibility of OAI, or for any airport in the world, to subsidize any commercial airport operator.
However, OAI has bent over backward to provide Hinterland Aviation with office facilities at the international terminal at heavily subsidized rates.
The Airport has also invested substantial sums in providing a serviced aircraft ramp facility for light aircraft operators, including Hinterland Aviation to assist them with their operating needs.
Hinterland Aviation has renewed its interest in writing OAI for the leasing of a much larger area of airside land than originally requested.
This renewed Expressions of Interest is receiving due consideration under the established procedures.
OAI feels that it is being unfairly targeted by Kaieteur News with its bias and unprofessional reporting on matters that are already before the Court
Yours sincerely,
Kit Nascimento
Public Relations Consultant
On behalf of Ogle Airport Inc.

Editor’s note:
Kaieteur News met with the OAI management on a previous occasion when the reports first emerged. Others came forward to challenge the OAI claims.
Ms. Annette Arjoon-Martins readily stepped up to defend Kaieteur News in the lawsuit brought by Michael Correia, Nicole Correia and Kit Nascimento.
Kaieteur News was never “forced to disclose that Ms. Annette Arjoon-Martins, an Executive of Air Services Ltd., is their source of information.”
Mr Nascimento is over-reaching.

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