DOMESTIC Airways Inc on Monday received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), clearing it to enter into the local commercial airline business.

The credential was handed over by Director General of the GCAA, Egbert Field, to Director of Domestic Airways, Orlando Charles, in the presence of his wife, Komaldevi Charles and key personnel of the airline.

The airline, being transformed from private to public operations, was granted this shift under the Civil Aviation Act (No. 10 of 2000). According to the Act: “An aircraft registered in Guyana shall not fly on any flight for the purpose of a public air transport service (or aerial work) otherwise than under and in accordance with the terms of an air operator’s certificate granted to the operator of the aircraft pursuant…”

In receiving the certificate, Charles thanked his team from Domestic Airways Inc. and the GCAA for their unwavering commitment, noting that there were many times they worked overtime to ensure that the process was done meticulously. “We are more confident and competent at this time to start off in our operations in a very firm and strategic way; the foundation for this operation has been very strong,” Charles assured, adding: “The process was not an easy one for sure, it was lots of back and front clarification and confrontation because it’s an air operator licence and it has strict criteria.”

It was during a similar function in 2013 that the Domestic Airways Director was awarded his Private Pilot Licence (PPL) in Trinidad at the Briko Flight Academy. Subsequently, after several years of service with Air Services Limited, he was able to purchase a small plane of his own which enabled him to start his own private operations; naming the airline Domestic Airways Inc.

At the function, Field pointed out that it was the first AOC certificate being awarded by the authority over the last few years. Having gone through the correct process, he also said that the company will now be able to operate their aircraft though chartered flights for the benefit of the country. “Domestic Airways went through the process of an Air Operator’s Certificate… [the airline] is now at liberty to offer [its] services to charter and to conduct scheduled or unscheduled operations for hire,” Field explained.

He later added that it was his desire to see the airline conduct its business in a safe manner, as it seeks to adhere and upkeep the various aviation regulations. Prior to being certified as an Air Operator, the airline conducted business privately in various areas of the hinterland, using its planes to supply resources to shops and other businesses.
To date, Domestic Airways has two Britten Norman Islander airplanes in service and is expected to have an additional two within the next month. At the same time, the airline has plans to apply for more airplanes to meet the growing demands of its customers.