THE highly anticipated inaugural commercial flight by REDjet arrived yesterday morning at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) from Barbados with 149 passengers on board, including top REDjet officials and representatives of the Barbadian Government. Amidst a warm Guyanese welcome, the visitors were greeted by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad and a delegation comprising of airport officials, representatives from Digicel and members of the media, as they arrived at Timehri, some for the very first time.
Addressing the gathering assembled at the welcome ceremony, Minister Prashad lauded REDjet’s CEO Mr. Ian Burns for the initiative which has had a great impact on the airline industry since its launch as the Caribbean’s first low fare Airline.
“Today is a very special day in many aspects, and when the idea was made public, no one believed that it was possible …today REDjet is here and they have delivered on their promise,” he said.
As to the REDjet benefits, Prashad pointed out that apart from providing low cost fares and hassle free travelling, more persons, especially Barbadians, will be encouraged to visit Guyana.
Minister Prashad encouraged the other airlines that ply the Caribbean route to view REDjet not as competition, but as an entity which complements the existing airline service; and expressed the hope that “good sense will prevail” and that they will be allowed to travel from Trinidad very soon.
He remarked that fares on other airlines have already been reduced in response to REDjet’s launch.
“Only recently, the US$450 fares from Trinidad were reduced, so already there is an impact,” he stated.
In addition, he assured those gathered of the support of the Government of Guyana towards the growth of the new airline.
He said, “I want to assure the CEO and shareholders that President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Government and people of Guyana welcome REDjet with open arms, and will do everything in its power to facilitate REDjet coming here.”

He took the opportunity to remind those present that Guyana and Barbados both copped first place for the coveted Sustainable Tourism Award.
“ Tourism in Guyana has come a long way in a very short time; though we may not share the white sandy beaches and blue waters of Barbados, we boast the therapeutic brown waters of the Amazon,” he proudly announced.
In closing, he thanked the REDjet executives for their decision choosing Guyana as one of their ports of call and for their role in bringing Caribbean people together.

Meanwhile, in his remarks, REDjet CEO Ian Burns paid a special tribute to President Jagdeo, Minister Prashad and other officials, who, he noted, had lent their support to the initiative.
Mr. Burns said, “We are deeply honoured by this reception and the help and the support and the encouragement to continue on our quest to become the Caribbean’s first low fare airline, and they deserve credit for the vision and the leadership of Guyana.”
He explained that one of the main aims of the company is to ensure that everyone in the Caribbean would be able to fly because of the low fares offered by the airline.
In explaining, he said, “Previously high fares have restricted the social intercommunication and throughout the region, and we celebrate in people’s happiness; and now that low fares have arrived, there will be no more US$400 fares on this route.”
The REDjet CEO announced that the airline will be flying to Guyana four times weekly and will soon become a daily service soon.
Public Relations Consultant with the Barbadian Ministry of Tourism, Hugh Foster, on behalf of the Barbadian Minister of Tourism, expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and for REDjet’s initiative.
“The Minister thinks this will be a boost for regional tourism not only in terms of Guyana and Barbados, but in terms of the region; this is an input that will have good benefits for all.
Several of the passengers on board the first REDjet flight explained that it was an experience to remember.
The Guyana Chronicle spoke to several of the passengers about their experience as they waited at the immigration desk.
“We enjoyed the flight, it was comfortable and it was cheaper than any other airline, so we would definitely tell people to use the service; everyone was hospitable,” said Paula Foster, who was returning to Guyana after one year overseas.
Highlighting his experience flying with the service, Barbadian Peter Parris said, “It would encourage me to visit here more often and I am depending on REDjet to continue with the low fares and great service.”