Managing Director of Roraima Airways Inc. Captain Gerald Gouviea yesterday inaugurated a spanking new $ 60 M Britten-Norman BN2A-27 Island aircraft to scale-up his service to consumers and improve the landscape of the local aviation sector.

Speaking at the occasion convened outside the Roraima Airways Inc. offices at the Ogle Airdrome, East Coast Demerara, the renowned entrepreneur said the machine will boost his ability to serve the adventure tourism industry and aid in critical air transport.

Gouviea credited the latest addition to his enterprise and its general expansion to his dedicated and committed staff who saw the company grew from three employees 17 years ago to over 150 today.

He also lauded leading businessmen Mr. Beni Sankar, Mr. Anthony Mekdeci and Mr. retired Major General, Norman Mclean for their guidance in making him a force to be reckoned with in the aviation sector.

The businessman said the Ogle Airdrome will become a regional airport and the multi-million investment is mere “putting my money where my mouth is”.

Roraima Airway Inc. initially started out as an airliner but over the past few years has expanded in various facets of tourism and national developments namely in resort and tourism development and ground handling services.

Gouviea pointed out that Roraima Airways has been operating Islanders for in excess of 15 years, providing air support to the international community, mining community, residents, and businessmen in the interior here.

He said too that his company conducts international commercial air transport operations in South America and the Caribbean, with the most noteworthy being FEDEX Express contract transporting cargo five times weekly to the Piarco International Airport in Trinidad.

Gouviea said with the new aircraft at hand, his company will be able to expand this service and on that note, he expressed gratitude to Republic Bank for not only supporting him in acquiring the vehicle and but for being a partner in development.

According to release circulated, the Britten-Norman is a British light utility aircraft, mainline airliner and cargo vehicle designed and manufactured by Britton-Norman of the United Kingdom (UK).

The Islander, the release stated is used by the army and Police forces in the UK and is a popular light transport with over 30 military aviation operators worldwide.

The two engine plane designed for short distance take-off and landing on short airstrips makes it suitable to operate in the interior locations.

The brand new addition which can be used in bad weather is retrofitted to include an autopilot, high frequency radio, and a 406 Mhz emergency locator transmitter to further enhance safety.

It was also noted that the plane has always been safe and reliable means of air transport, having never once failed Roraima Airways.

Captain David Belton who delivered the journey of the vehicle started in the Isle of Wight in the UK and was flown to Scotland for maintenance work. It then underwent a series of rigorous air tests in Ireland and Greenland before winging-out to the United States for clearance and upgrade. The machine, he said finally arrived in Guyana last week after bad weather forced the aircraft to make several stops in the Caribbean.

Mekdeci, a former pilot and National Aviation Director who is current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ogle Airport Inc. congratulated Gouviea on his latest achievement and moreso for the strides he has made in the aviation sector during the 17 years.

He remarked that the aircraft will definitely improve the services of the US 30 M airdrome which has provided a quality and reliable service to ordinary Guyanese and the business community.

Tourism Minister Manniram Prashad also high praised Gouviea latest investment and pointed out that even though a lot of work has been done to upgrade the airport to municipal status; more has to be done on the US$ 5 M project.

That upgrading work, he said is the vision of President Bharrat Jagdeo and emphasised Gouveia’s new aircraft is “a testimony of good private/public sector partnership”.

Prashad also describe the businessman as “a one stop shop aviator in the Caribbean” and his new aircraft will no doubt help in promoting Guyana as an eco-tourism and adventure tourism destination.

Republic Bank Managing Director, Mr. Edwin Gooding said his organisation is pleased to be involved in the acquisition of the aircraft which will improve the quality and timeliness of air transportation in Guyana.

He pointed out that Republic Bank has also financed the Roraima Group of Companies to acquire “Duke Lodge” in Kingston, Georgetown and an aircraft in 2008, the construction of an executive lounge at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at Timehri in 2006 and the accusation of a passenger stairway to support the entity’s ground handling operations at the CJIA in 2002.