“NO passenger was left stranded,” was the message communicated by Captain Gerry Gouveia, Chief Executive Officer of Roraima Airways, at a press conference yesterday.

Roraima Airways are the ground-handling agents of Dynamic Airways, and Captain Gouveia was addressing a press conference held to discuss Dynamic’s inaugural flight between Guyana and the USA.

The airline had experienced technical, administrative, and ground handling issues which caused its flight to be delayed at the JFK Airport in New York. The aircraft subsequently departed out of Atlantic City International Airport in New Jersey.

Captain Gouveia reiterated that Dynamic’s passengers were never left stranded; that they were communicated with every step of the way. He related that he wanted the airline to have a Guyanese flavour, and indicated also that a lot of persons had begun making contact with him concerning catering and ground handling, to name a few openings, after it had been indicated that Roraima Airways was in partnership with Dynamic Airways.

“Because I want this airline to have a Guyanese flavour — and I still do, and I am still committed to doing it — I spoke to the principals of Dynamic, and we were going to use Guyanese handlers at the airport. On the first flight out of New York, when the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) did their baggage audit, it was found that about four pieces were not tagged, and therefore all baggage had to be rechecked with the passengers,” Gouveia explained.

He said the TSA then called upon the airline to take appropriate action against the handlers, thus Dynamic Airways fired the ground handlers moments before the flight was scheduled to depart for Guyana. And although placed in a vulnerable position, the airline negotiated with Fly Jamaica to use their airport ground handlers and parking ‘slot’.

“When the flight was being checked in at CJIA (Cheddi Jagan International Airport), the officials from Dynamic in New York were in discussion with Fly Jamaica officials; and about five minutes before the aircraft was scheduled to land at JFK Airport (John F Kennedy), Fly Jamaica cancelled the arrangement that was put in place, leaving Dynamic Airways without a ground handler or a gate to go to; and this caused some more challenges,” Gouveia said.

Captain Gerry emphasized: “I want to make it clear that this plane was never impounded; it was never seized, nor were the pilots ever arrested. “The US authorities wanted to question the pilots, and they were able to produce all relevant documents, and allowed to leave.”

Gouveia indicated that by Monday, July 7, all arrangements would be finalised to have the aircraft land at JFK Airport instead of at Bradley International Airport, which is some two hours’ drive from JFK. Alternative arrangements have been put in place to accommodate passengers already booked to fly from Guyana to the Bradley Airport. They would be shuttled to the JFK Airport Gate Four to be received by their relatives.

“All passengers were informed of the arrangements that were put into place. Most had no issue with the arrangements, but a few asked to be placed on another flight that would be flying directly to JFK,” Captain Gerry said.

He informed the media that Dynamic Airways has since been issued the official letter authorizing it to operate at the JFK Airport, so the airline would no longer experience the problems it did on its inaugural flight.

“Today, I was given the official letter that permits the airline to operate out of JFK, and as we speak now, the company is finalising the contracts with the terminal and new ground handlers,” Gouveia said.

Dynamic Airways flights start at an introductory cost of US$499 for persons travelling from New York to Guyana, but persons flying from Guyana to New York would pay US$575. Passengers would be allowed two pieces of luggage at 55 pounds each, and one hand luggage at 25 pounds. There will be four scheduled flights per week: on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

Dynamic Airways, founded in 2010, operates six 767 aircraft, but two aircraft are for the movement of cargo.
Written By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally