COPA Airlines yesterday made its inaugural flight to Guyana from Panama landing at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), offering unmatched connectivity to Latin America, South America and North America destinations.

Minister of Public Works and Transport, Robeson Benn, who was present at the ceremony yesterday, spoke of the vision and leadership of COPA Airlines and the cooperation between Guyana and Panama.

He noted the reliable and impeccable service provided by COPA before their launching here in Guyana and their international standards and service.

Benn was very pleased to be at the ceremony accompanied by his wife and spoke also of the cooperation between Guyana and Panama via Captain Krish Persaud, who held the Flag of Guyana high in that country and yesterday the first flight by COPA was dedicated to him for his service to that airline.

He stated that the advent of COPA Airlines provides the opportunity for manufacturers, entrepreneurs, businessmen, traders, tourists, service providers and people, who may want to visit.

Benn added that people will want to visit because they want to understand their struggles and undertakings and their views of the future, see the historical aspects too and understand the culture of Panama.

He explained that the flight yesterday signals an important opportunity for Guyana to make another leap forward in development of our country and integration with Panama and South America.

With the launch of COPA here, Benn said that there is the opening for trade, investment and exchange of visions and views for our country to develop in a new paradigm.

COPA Airlines Regional Sales Manager, Diego Bermudez said: “We are happy to be at the start of a new and promising partnership and we want to assure that we are going to be here for the long haul. We want to expand the possibilities for Guyana and Copa Airlines and offer the Guyanese our world-class service.”

He said COPA provides unmatched on-time service and they are renowned for their high service and they will promote the Guyana destination.

Chairman of Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Hugh Denbow, welcomed COPA Airlines to Guyana and highlighted the services provided by COPA.

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haroldsingh conveyed regards on behalf of Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Irfaan Ali, who was unavoidably absent from the event.

He however, welcomed COPA to Guyana and vowed to continue to work collaboratively with CJIA to improve air travel easier to all destinations globally via Guyana.

Haroldsingh told the gathering that Copa will certainly boost connectivity to new markets and routes for Guyana which will no doubt stimulate channels of trade and tourism and open opportunities for entrepreneurs also.

He noted that COPA, a Star line member is renowned for its world-class service, reliability, seamless connections and being on time.

Haroldsingh said: “We are proud to welcome COPA to the airline family and fraternity in Guyana. This is a very timely and strategic investment in the sector and urged collaboration and cooperation among airlines, tour operators, resorts, attractions and events organisations, packaging will create and boost demand for destination Guyana.”

A special passenger was onboard the inaugural flight to Guyana from Panama yesterday and she was introduced as Geeta Marie Persaud, whose father, a Guyanese, was a veteran Captain of COPA Airlines and trained 60 pilots as such the flight was dedicated to him.

She said that it was his desire to have COPA in Guyana and is proud it happened yesterday and even presented the flag of Panama to her relatives at CJIA following her presentation.

The man, Krish Persaud left Guyana on July 11, 1969 for Panama, where he lived until he passed away and spent almost his entire life flying.

Also making remarks was Chief Executive Officer of CJIA, Ramesh Ghir. Present also was Guyana Civil Aviation Authority Director General, Zulficar Mohamed.

Copa Airlines – subsidiary of COPA Holdings, S.A. and a member of Star Alliance global network, launched its nonstop service, twice weekly between CJIA and Copa’s Hub of the Americas at Tocumen International Airport in Panama, with connecting service throughout South, Central and North America and the Caribbean.

The new flight will provide Guyanese with a non-stop service to Panama the hub of the Americas and connectivity to more than 66 other destinations flown by COPA Airlines and 1,316 airports in 192 countries reached by Star Alliance carriers. They have about 9,000 employees worldwide.

The new flight will expand connectivity for Guyanese throughout Central, South and North America and the Caribbean unlike any other flight previously flown South America’s only English-speaking country.

It will also provide Guyanese travellers with the best option to visit Panama and take advantage of the excellent shopping and tourism activities including its world famous beaches.

Officials of COPA Airlines also expect that the new link with the Americas will bring a wealth of opportunity for the Guyanese business and tourism sector and has been working closely with Guyana’s Ministry of Tourism to promote Guyana as a destination.

COPA will operate a Boeing 737-700 with 12 business class seats and 112 economy seats on the flights to Panama – Guyana and Guyana – Panama routes subsequently.

COPA flight 423 will depart CJIA on Tuesdays and Fridays and passengers connecting to North America destinations will have a baggage allowance of two pieces at 23kg each.

COPA’s on-board service include complimentary meals and beverages, including wines and spirits; a 12-channel audio-visual entertainment system in English, Spanish and Portuguese, with new movies monthly and complimentary headsets.

Passengers earn miles through the Mileage Plus frequent-flyer programme.

Established in 1947, COPA Airlines transported more than 11 million passengers in 2013. The airline was named “Best Airline” in Central America and the Caribbean Region” at the Skytrax World Airline Awards in June 2013.
The passengers, crew and officials, who arrived in Guyana yesterday afternoon during the inaugural flight at CJIA was treated with a dance performance by members of the Classique Dance Company and local Guyanese dishes of varying finger foods, rum punch and local fruit juices.

(By Michel Outridge )