THE Guyana government is open to providing assistance to Guyanese owned airline, Fly Jamaica, where possibilities are available to do so.

The Jamaica-based company lost one of its aircraft in a crash last November and has been unable to recover since then. Finance Minister Winston Jordan told the Guyana Chronicle that while the government is unsure as to what type of assistance it can provide to the company, it is not against helping the airline which has brought much ease to local air travel since its commencement some six years ago.

“The government would not be averse to helping Fly Jamaica if it is in a position to do so.” The minister could not say what kind of assistance could be rendered since he said he is unaware of what the company might need. “I don’t know what, if any, help Fly Jamaica [may] request and whether the government would be in a position to respond.” Minister Jordan’s response comes even as the company is said to be in arrears of certain mandatory charges. The minister recognized the key role the airline plays pertaining to local airlift, and registered its sadness should the company be unable to return to normal service.

Since Fly Jamaica’s crash at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri on November 9th, the company has not conducted flight services since its second airplane, a Boeing 767, is being serviced. The Boeing 757 was on its way to Toronto, Canada when it was forced to return to the CJIA for an emergency landing. The airplane overshot the runway and suffered extensive damage that has now rendered it useless. While Fly Jamaica had attempted to lease planes to cushion the holiday travel rush, it was unable to satisfy the needs of its customers. At the time, the company was also working to compensate passengers who were onboard the crashed 757.

Some Fly Jamaica passengers, who had booked flights with the airline, complained about poor communication, not being able to travel, and having to spend large sums to book other flights during the Christmas season. Speculations surfaced about financial woes facing the company. The Guyana Chronicle was told, however, that moves are being made for Fly Jamaica to resume flights before the end of the month. Airline sources said that the company is “hopeful” for re-entry with their newly serviced Boeing 767.

It has been said before that Fly Jamaica should have been Guyana’s flag carrier, since the company is Guyanese owned and was created with the focus on serving Guyanese. It was said too that under the previous administration the company was given a “hard time” to set up and they eventually took the business to Jamaica.

Fly Jamaica has been a source of fresh air since they brought some amount of stability to the extremely lucrative Georgetown/New York route, in particular. Guyanese experienced grave difficulties that included exorbitant prices and bad service from foreign based airlines and fly- by- night charter companies when airlift was limited. Concerned persons have noted that given Guyana’s current position with first oil set to flow soon, the country cannot afford to lose important operators.

Fly Jamaica has over 400 employees worldwide with a respectable number being Guyanese. One hundred and eighteen passengers and eight crew members were on board the OJ256 flight when it crashed. Thirty-five Guyanese, one Trinidadian, 82 Canadians, one Pakistani and 11 American citizens were said to have been on board. Six persons suffered minor injuries. An 86-year-old woman died a week after the incident.