-as long as the market is there

COPA Airlines has assured that it will be in Guyana for “as long as the market needs us.”This assurance was given at a cocktail reception hosted by the airline at the Pegasus Hotel to mark its inaugural flight to Guyana.
COPA airlines will be plying the Guyana Panama route twice weekly.
COPA’s Regional Sales Manager for North America, Diego Bermudez Parra told the large gathering of persons “we are not here to make a seasonal profit; rather we are here to expand connectivity between Guyana and the rest of the world. From tomorrow (Friday July 11) Guyana will have a new gateway to the rest of the world and we know that together we will do great things.”
He said in Guyana the company sees an opportunity for the expansion of the local tourism sector, previously limited, by North American connections.
“We can now offer opportunities with much easier connections. Our research has shown us that a lot of Guyanese business people and travellers from the rest of the world would fly via Panama to get to Guyana and our decision to enter the local market was based on these figures and potential increases in traffic,” Parra reiterated.
He concluded by expressing his gratitude to all involved in making this partnership a success especially the Minister of Tourism, Irfaan Ali. “I want to thank Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce for the faith and partnership he and his Ministry has demonstrated in working with us to get the service here. We want to thank him for keeping good to his word of ensuring that key staff is trained in Spanish, and for making the road to approval for flights out of Guyana smooth,” he said.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said it is with a great sense of satisfaction that “I join with you to launch what is the first major direct flight between Guyana and Central America through the country of Panama.” She explained that this venture all started in 2012 at a meeting in Bolivia during a lunch and now it has developed into a new era for trade of goods and services between Guyana and Central America. Ms. Rodrigues-Birkett emphasised that investment of this nature “must start somewhere and we must follow it to the end, if we are to grow.”
The minister reiterated the need for the necessary infrastructure and called for the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). “The necessary infrastructure is needed, that is why we need the expansion of the CJIA and the construction of the Marriot. Most countries are upgrading their airports because they see the need for better and more advanced infrastructure as well as they do not want to become obsolete,” she expounded.
She also indicated that the Government of Guyana has made the necessary arrangement to ensure that the flying public now can travel ‘with ease’ by waiving visa requirements for Peru, Panama, Costa Rica, Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador.
The President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar, noted that he will be using COPA Airlines and will in-transit in Panama on his way to Brasilia for the UNSUR Conference.
“It a pleasure to share this important moment as COPA begins to fly to Guyana,” President Ramotar assured. He related that this new route will open new and huge possibilities from both Guyana and Panama; it will increase our trade relationships as well as our tourist travellers. It will also open a ‘new door’ to different parts of the world making travel much easier and also make our airport a major hub for the Caribbean people.
Mr. Ramotar also echoed Minister Rodrigues-Birkett’s words on the call for the expansion of CJIA and accommodation infrastructure. He said “this justifies all the efforts we are making to improve the services at CJIA so that our airport can accommodate larger planes.”
Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, echoed the words of all speakers and emphasised the need for the relevant infrastructure since trade and travel will increase with the new airline.
COPA airline operates over 375 daily flights from various destinations across the world and operates a fleet of over 90 aircraft. It flies to 69 destinations in over 30 countries and has been awarded several international travel awards for the quality and efficiency of its service.

(By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)