Undoubtedly, in today’s world air transport is playing an ever increasing pivotal role in economic development particularly in light of growing tourism and an upsurge in the movement of people and goods under the dispensation of globalisation and liberalisation of international trade.

The air transport industry is not only a vital engine of global socio-economic growth but is also of vital importance as a catalyst for economic development in most countries and for many regions within each country. Its importance arises not only from its ability to facilitate the movement of people but also its ability to expedite the movement of goods.

Currently, rising operating costs, stoked by the high price of aviation fuel combined with slowing or even negative demand growth, will lead to dramatic restructuring of the airline industry and the collapse of many airlines especially smaller ones. Reduced access to air services for both passengers and freight may put many communities at a disadvantage.

The air transport industry needs not only to be financially sound to be effective as an economic catalyst for growth but also to be environmentally responsible.

Governments need to be sensible, transparent and long-term in their approach.Priority must be given to tackling obstacles such as inefficient and fragmented ATMs, restrictive air service agreements, inadequate airport infrastructures and unjustified government charges and taxes. The development of more fuel efficient aircraft and engines must also be encouraged. (Source: International Civil Aviation Organisation) James Cherry, President and CEO Aéroports de Montréal) pertinently asserts that airports are a major force in the local, regional and national economy with an impact that goes well beyond the airport fence.

He notes that as globalisation continues to take hold, the competitiveness of industry is increasingly relying on airports and the aviation infrastructure and with rising passenger and cargo traffic and infrastructure improvements, the importance of airports as economic as catalysts will only increase in the future.

Against this backdrop the recent certification of the Ogle air terminal as an international import is a significant landmark in Guyana’s aviation history and is a step forward as Guyana moves to assert itself as the gateway to South America.

But apart from that when the airport becomes fully operational it will be of tremendous help to our young tourism industry and would ease the burden on our main international airport the Cheddi Jagan Jagan International Airport, Timehri.

What is also of special significance about the success of this project is the tangible demonstration of how the public/private sector partnership can help to push economic development and move this country to greater heights.

And in this regard, Chairman of the Ogle Airport Inc., Mike Correia has been very optimistic about the economic prospects of our country declaring that: “Today, I see a Guyana that has better economic prospects, over the next 5 – 10 years, that ever before.”

This is in direct contrast to a small minority in this country who are blind to the positives that are taking pace in our country and continue to preach the mantra of gloom and doom and would never accept that despite all our setbacks progress is being made in this country. But human experience has shown that pessimists have never achieved anything and are eventually swept away into the dust bin of history.

However, Correia touched on some very important issues pertaining to regional integration and development, offering some suggestions which are very meritorious.

Speaking of the airport hub that connects the Caribbean to South America, Correia opined that regional air transportation is critically important to integration of the Caribbean community and that this initiative is a good start.

He spoke of billions of dollars that have already been wasted, and which will continue to be wasted, because of the need to plan and function as a region instead of individual countries, each operating its own airline, or a single monopoly airline operating inefficiently within CARICOM. He also suggested as an imperative a single airspace, governed by a Central Caribbean Aviation Authority, with offices in each country, with one set of regulations, one set of inspectors that regulate one common safety standard and one common CARICOM licence for pilots and engineers.

Correia noted that a Caribbean Aviation and Security Oversight System has already been agreed on and that Guyana is a signatory to this, but he expressed the concern of the Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana that the concept needs to be expanded and prioritised as a critical objective of CARICOM.

It would be hoped that Mr. Correia’s exhortations would be acted upon in an expeditious manner as our region definitely needs to do so much catching up with the rest of the world as we strive to improve the lives of our people.