Prashad reports…

Private Sector responding to more airlift services need
MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad reported, Wednesday, that there has been some private sector responses to the government’s identified need for more airlift services into Guyana.
He reiterated that government would look at getting back into the airline business, if the private sector does not step up to meet the need at affordable prices.
“We want to make sure that Guyanese consumers are not ripped off and the prices remain stable,” Prashad said.
He posited that, once there are more players in the game, competition is automatic and consumers will benefit.
“As a result of the increased influx of people into the country and the shortage of airlift, we are considering getting back into the business to fill that void,” Prashad said, in an invited comment.
“If we get the private sector to step up, we will not need to consider getting back into the business,” he assured.
Prashad said, currently, his Ministry is in talks with KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines) which plies the route from Amsterdam to Parimaribo, Suriname.
“KLM expressed interest to fly from Amsterdam to Parimaribo to Guyana. That will serve the Europe route,” he said, adding that Suriname Airways has also been engaged in related discussions.
According to him, Suriname Airways wants to fly from Parimaribo to Guyana and on to Miami.
“We are speaking to Jet Blue Airways and American Airlines. There are also two or three other independent sources that are looking to have services made available from New York and Toronto,” he disclosed.
Guyana Airways Corporation (GAC) was the national carrier from 1973 to 2001 and, during that period, it flew to destinations throughout the Caribbean, the United States (U.S.) and Canada.
After it became insolvent, its successor, GA 2000 maintained a similar schedule until it went out of business, in the same manner, in 2003.

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