THE Government of Guyana, through its Civil Aviation Authority yesterday suspended EZjet airlines express chartered operations with immediate effect.

The action followed receipt of information that the airline’s operations in the United States (U.S.) had also suffered a similar fate, in light of its failure to fulfill its financial obligations to the aircraft service provider company ‘Swift Air.’
This has since resulted in the cancellation of a number of flights.
Transport Minister Robeson Benn said subsequent to receiving that knowledge, Guyana acted to abruptly suspend EZjet’s licence to operate scheduled air services on the Georgetown/New York, Georgetown/Toronto and Georgetown/Trinidad routes.
Speaking at a press conference in his Kingston, Georgetown office, Benn said the understanding is that the operations have been suspended by the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) too.
According to him, Guyana has decided that all ticket sales and any other operating flights by whatever means must be cancelled.
Benn highlighted that the genesis of the action by the U.S. Department of Transport resides with requests made by the service provider ‘Swift air’, in light of issues relating to payments not being up to speed.
The Minister assured that this government is making every effort to ensure that the situation is resolved and dealt with in the best way possible.
“We are seeking further details and information on this issue and the public will be advised shortly. The situation is unfolding as we speak,” Benn said.
He added that the Acting Tourism Minister, Mr. Irfaan Ali, arising out of a meeting between President Donald Ramotar, has been instructed to undertake various actions with respect to finding relief or assistance for passengers who will be affected.
Further to that, Benn expressed dissatisfaction at the scenario stating that efforts to bring low cost aircraft operators into a more competitive environment in Guyana’s international travelling arrangements are, for the moment, not turning out the way expected.

Setback
“We view this development, coming shortly on the heels of the Red Jet upset, as a major setback and one that we are disappointed in,” he admitted.
He explained that the Aviation Authority’s suspension of the EZjet licence is designed to protect, as much as possible, any action which would see further ticket sales happening which would impair or hurt people going forward.
Benn said EZjet’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Rosalinda Rasool is to provide Guyanese authorities with information on the number of affected passengers based on forward ticket sales for promotions and passenger movements.
He said EZjet, like other airlines, is required to make a US200,000 deposit that could be used to bail out passengers stranded here.
“EZjet has deposited that same amount but I won’t be able to say whether that would cover them,” Benn said.
He said, whether EZjet’s licence will be cancelled would depend on the carrier and if it is able to resolve its financial difficulties.
Its suspension comes only a few weeks after EZjet’s founder, Mr. Sonny Ramdeo was sued by a hospital chain in the U.S. for, allegedly, embezzling more than US$5M.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (MINTIC) said it views with uttermost regret and consternation the evident repercussions which will result following the closure of services of EzJet Airlines.
Further, the ministry is painfully aware of the negative impact this development would have on passengers already booked on this service as well as progress within the Guyana Tourism Sector. The ministry has officially requested a status report on the closure of the Airline operations and also details regarding measures that would be put in place, immediately, to refund stranded passengers and those already booked.
MINTIC said it has also contacted Chairman of Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) and has received positive feedback from that Airline, thus, triggering a visit to Guyana tomorrow of a high level delegation headed by CAL’s Chairman, and which will include the Vice Chairman and acting CEO, to hold discussions with President Ramotar, Minister Irfaan Ali, Minister Robson Benn and other officials. This meeting will focus on finding solutions that would result in stability in airfares as well as availability of additional capacity to fill the void that would be created by the exit of EzJet.
It is estimated that between 25,000 to 30,000 passengers would have made reservations to travel with EzJet between November and December 2012. MINTIC wishes to assure all prospective passengers and stakeholders within the Tourism sector that it is cognizant of the importance of having available air travel capacity during the peak Christmas period. The ministry is also conscious of the detrimental effect that a lack of adequate capacity can have on the Tourism sector as a whole. As such, MINTIC will continue to explore every available opportunity to ensure reliable and cost effective means of international travel is available to and from Guyana.
MINTIC will collaborate with our existing partner Caribbean Airlines Limited to facilitate practical and sustainable solutions to meet the impact anticipated, as a result of the challenges presented by Ezjet’s closure during this undoubtedly difficult time. The ministry will also collaborate with the Ministry of Public Works to ensure that stern action is taken against EzJet in protecting the interest of the consumer.
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