– Special Kaieteur, Georgetown tours on offer

Story and Photos by Alva Solomon
AS THE country’s 50th Independence Anniversary draws closer, local airline Air Services Limited (ASL) unveiled a rebranded helicopter which it will use for aerial tours of Georgetown and its environs.

Unveiling was done on Saturday, and the 8R-GTR helicopter features the Golden Arrowhead and Golden Jubilee Logo. The helicopter was repainted in the colours of the Golden Arrowhead and the 50th Anniversary Logo is also conspicuously labelled on the craft.

At a simple ceremony held at its hanger, ASL’s chief executive officer Annette Arjoon-Martins told the media that this year’s Independence celebrations, while national in observance, are also special to the airline.

She said it was 50 years ago that the airline’s founder, Yacoob ally, started ASL after earning his pilot’s licence, and he purchased a small aircraft. She said the airline has today grown to the extent where it employs 50 female staff members, five (5) of whom are managers.

Arjoon-Martins noted that the rebranded helicopter carries the registration 8R-GTR for a special reason: the last two letters of the registration represent the name of maintenance manager Tularam Ramsukh, who celebrated his 50th birthday recently.

“I would like to thank each and every one of the other 249 staff who make up the ASL team”, she said.

Arjoon-Martins noted that ASL is committed to the development of the tourism sector. She lauded the presence of Minister Cathy Hughes, who has responsibility for Public Telecommunications and Tourism.

The Minister commended ASL for the role the company has played in development of the aviation industry.

She said that, in May last year, she argued about the importance of the tourism industry to develop additional areas which can expand the nation’s economic base.

“One of the solid points that I used is the fact that we have a very vibrant local aviation industry,” the minister said. She noted that, without airlines, the sector’s development would not be possible. She said that Guyana has a unique advantage, with beauty and terrain, “but we have a disadvantage in that it is not easily accessible”. She said that having an aviation industry that would push the development of tourism and other economic areas, such as mining, “is extremely important”.

Hughes expressed happiness that the aviation industry has grown, and she lauded its dynamism. She said she is excited about the rebranded rotorcraft.

“It gives you a view, an experience that is next to none,” she said of a helicopter ride experience, noting that tourists and locals can share the “fantastic experience” that the helicopter has to offer.

At the conclusion of the media briefing, Minister Hughes and members of the media were taken on an aerial tour over the capital city

in the Bell Long Ranger chopper.

According to ASL, the helicopter is available for booked overhead tours around Georgetown, and to major resorts and landmarks such as Kaieteur Falls, with tours to the falls being US$130 per seat.