AS Guyana’s 50th Independence celebrations slowly intensifies, in a year which is seemingly promising for tourism, Caribbean Airlines on Friday unveiled one of three aircraft branded with the 50th Independence Anniversary logo.The early morning ceremony, which was held at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), was complemented with melodious renditions by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) band, which was led by Major Burns.

Having the highly anticipated independence celebrations ushered in at the break of 2016, Friday’s branding of the first aircraft set the patriotic tone which was echoed regionally by the supporting airline, which has served Guyana’s aviation industry with distinction since its induction in 2007.
And present at the event to witness this historic moment was Guyana’s First Lady, Sandra Granger, who stood in place of her husband and delivered what was considered a soft-toned but impacting speech, which touted the recognition of “oneness” as Guyana celebrates this achievement.

Referring to the fact that the aviation industry celebrated 100 years of service in Guyana just last year, Mthe First Lady underscored the role of Caribbean Airlines, which she contends has served and continues to serve the Guyanese people faithfully.

To this end, she thanked the airline for recognising the value of the partnership between itself and the Government of Guyana, and of Caribbean patrimony, while lauding its efforts to join with the people of Guyana to commemorate this monumental achievement.

Also recognising the role young people play in development, the First Lady charged young people, upon whose shoulders the mantle of development will fall, to seize career opportunities and brave challenges in the airline and other industries in Guyana.

KEY DESTINATION
Chairman of Caribbean Airlines, Phillip Marshall, also delivered remarks at the short ceremony, offering that Guyana is a key and growing destination for the airline, which serves over 350,000 passengers travelling to and from Guyana annually.

He further revealed that the airline, which currently offers six daily flights into Guyana, will this year be embarking on a major overhaul which is also celebratory.

“These improvements have already begun with the completion of phase one of our Passenger Service System upgrade to Amadeus on December 9 last year. The second phase of the Amadeus migration, which involves our Airport check-in system, will be completed by March this year,” Marshall said.

The chairman noted that “Amadeus” next-generation technology will enable Caribbean Airlines to deliver its vision for an improved customer-centric travel experience to better serve its valued customers, of which Guyana is a major part.

Quoting President David Granger extensively when he addressed Parliament on Thursday last, Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, highlighted that, 50 years ago, Guyanese were inspired by the motto ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’; and as the President has said, they are encouraged to make the motto a reality.

She echoed the Head of State’s call to make Guyana a place of unity, purity, security and prosperity, while fostering an environment which improves citizens’ quality of life and facilitates a path of progress.

She further added that 2016 is not only a time for reflection and celebration, as the theme of the anniversary celebration suggests, but it is also a golden opportunity to inspire Guyanese, particularly young people, to dream bigger and reach higher in the next 20 years and beyond.

Punctuated by national songs emanating from musical instruments controlled by the GDF band, the ceremony was also graced by a musical performance from the Timehri Primary School Choir, which sang My Guyana El Dorado beautifully. Presentations of framed drone shots of the CJIA were given to several special invitees, compliments of Caribbean Airlines.

Two additional aircraft attached to Caribbean Airlines are also expected to be branded soon with the logo, which was designed by local artists Chris Taylor and Compton Bobb.

The logo bears the image of Guyana’s jaguar (Felis Pantera), the country’s national animal, superimposed on the number 50. The logo also utilises the five colours of the Golden Arrowhead — red, black, gold, white and green.

Also Present at the event were Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, and Minister within the same Ministry, Anette Ferguson; Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe; the Prime Minister’s wife, Seeta Nagamootoo; Head of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Indranauth Haralsingh; Director of Sport, Christopher Jones; and three Vice- Presidents of Caribbean Airlines.

By Ravin Singh