– Minister Prashad
MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad announced yesterday that, by year end, a new airline will be flying the Guyana route. He made the announcement after several meetings with stakeholders who have shown interest in Guyana, including one that Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CIJA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Ramesh Ghir had, in New York, with the management of Jet Blue.
Prashad said that the carrier was given all the relevant information and local authorities are awaiting a feedback while the Greek company will start operations here shortly, flying directly to New York.
He disclosed that Air One, a Caribbean company that flies from Barbados with overseas connections will, initially, use two aircraft and make three flights from that island to Guyana and five flights to here from Trinidad by year end.
Prashad said Suriname Airways also indicated it can use the Paramaribo/ Guyana/Miami route to make direct return flights.
“So, for the first time in recent times, we would have direct flights to Miami, because other airlines usually fly from Trinidad and the former will be good for us with three flights a week,” he stated.
Prashad said talks were held with the Dutch Antillean Airline (ALM), which proposes to do Amsterdam/Paramaribo/Guyana flights.
He said that will be a direct flight from Europe and Amsterdam is about 20 minutes away from London, England but all the options are being examined to secure a new service by end of this year.
However, Prashad said, if any other persons or groups are seriously interested in coming to Guyana, they would be welcomed and while the Government is looking at the prospect of bringing back the State run Guyana Airways, it is weighing the choices, given the interest shown by several airlines so far.