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ASL claims $10M losses following flight restrictions
…as attorney demands reinstatement of pilot’s licence
(Kaieteur News) – Fresh controversy has emerged between Air Services Limited (ASL) and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), after the company’s attorney-at-law, Motee Singh, wrote to Director General Egbert Field demanding the immediate reinstatement of a pilot and compensation for millions in losses.
In a letter dated March 27, 2026, Singh stated that the pilot Errol Pearson’s Commercial Pilot Licence “was suspended for one month effective from the 22nd March 2026,” a decision which he said has severely impacted the company’s operations.
On Thursday, the GCAA had defended its actions following complaints by ASL that it was being unfairly pushed out of business due to restrictions on its flights to the Matthews Ridge Airstrip in Region One.
ASL Chairman Captain, Ahamad Mazahar Ally
The authority maintained that its decisions were in keeping with its legal responsibilities, stating that “the pilot’s suspension and temporary operational restrictions were necessary as preventive measures against a more serious accident, subject to formal investigation and review, ensuring procedural fairness while upholding the GCAA’s duty to act decisively in the interest of safety.”
However, later developments indicated some relief for the airline. Speaking with Kaieteur News on Thursday, attorney Motee Singh disclosed that the company had been granted permission to resume flights to Matthews Ridge.
According to Singh, the Director General of the GCAA via correspondence to ASL on Thursday morning lifted the restriction on the airline’s operations.
However, the lawyer stated that commencement of operations is not enough. According to the letter, “ever since the suspension of Mr. Errol on the 22nd March my client company lost approximately 15 Flights which would have been covered by Mr. Errol to include Mathews Ridge and other Hinterland Region to date and lost in revenue in excess of $10,000,000 (ten million dollars) much to the detriment of my client company.”
Singh further argued that the company has suffered “tremendous loss in passenger and cargo services to Matthews Ridge as well as future business transaction,” describing the suspension as an “embarrassing unjustifiable, unreasonable and frivolous action” by the authority.
He contended that the decision to suspend Pearson’s licence was not mandatory but discretionary under Section 27(c) of the Guyana Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act 2024. The attorney also accused the GCAA of breaching the rules of natural justice.
In the correspondence, Singh stated that the action was taken “despite there being no loss, harm or injury to life and damage to any property,” and argued that the matter should have been handled through “a more fair and transparent process that include evidence that are material to this incident and not Hearsay.”
He added that, based on information available to the company, “there is no such evidence that is conclusive to date,” noting that the suspension appears “more of a prejudicial effect as against its probative value.”
The attorney outlined that evidence in such matters would typically include “video recorded evidence, statement of eyewitness, physical examination of the Aircraft, Statement of the Pilot in charge of the Aircraft, tire skid mark and damage to structure on ground by way of expert evidence.
“However, I am being advised by my client company in the present circumstances that there appears to be no such evidence to prove that the pilot committed a breach pursuant to the Guyana Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act 2024,” Singh wrote.
Considering this, he formally called on the authority to act swiftly, stating, “upon receipt of this notice to release Mr. Errol Pearson commercial licence and to engage in a meaningful dialogue to compensate my Client Company accordingly.”
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