…GCAA promises to speed-up process

PERSONS still awaiting refunds from Fly Jamaica Airways due to the cancellation of flights following the crash of the airline’s lone aircraft here last year, will see the process being expedited, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has assured.

At the government’s Public Day event held at the Square of the Revolution on Wednesday, GCAA Director-General Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Egbert Field met directly with persons seeking refunds. He told the Guyana Chronicle that the majority of persons who came to see him under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s booth wanted information on refunds.

On November 9, 2018, Flight No OJ 256 departed the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) for Toronto, Canada, but after encountering hydraulic issues minutes later was forced to return to the airport. The aircraft crash-landed and skidded off the runway.

Several persons were injured, while one 86-year-old woman died as a result of injuries sustained during the landing. Months later and some persons are still awaiting word regarding refunds for tickets purchased in advance and the GCAA has been assisting as the medium of direct communication to the airline.

“The majority of the concerns today were from individuals enquiring about refunds for their Fly Jamaica tickets which they would have bought before the accident took place. They have approached Fly Jamaica on a few occasions; I don’t think they were fully satisfied, or some of them also did not get a chance to even make contact due to the telephone not working or the individuals not answering. So, the Civil Aviation Authority acts as the medium sometimes between these individuals and Fly Jamaica. We do not offer refunds but we facilitate the process,” Field explained, adding: “The various concerns which were brought to us, we will forward them to Fly Jamaica with the necessary information and ask Fly Jamaica to follow up with these individuals. We have been doing that even before now, when approached, and Fly Jamaica has been honouring those refunds.”

Field said that while he sat next to Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson earlier on, he was impressed by the way in which he dealt with the many citizens who stopped by.

“People came to discuss either about their roads, or their lighting in the area or any other matter which concerns infrastructure. There were many and the way in which he dealt with them in an expeditious manner gave them the guarantee we will get back with you…you can sense that action will be taken. This is what happens when senior individuals come out and meet with the average citizen,” he stated.

“All in all, I think it has been very productive because individuals who would have found it either hard to come to the authority, or even to make an appointment to see me, they were able to come down here and to discuss with me their concerns and I was able to assist them in whatever area they asked.”