By Lisa Hamilton

IN approximately two weeks, Guyana’s international airports will be ready to accommodate commercial travel, marking phase two of the reopening of international airports but there is no surety yet on whether certain airlines will be ready to fly the Guyana route.

This was relayed by Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, at a virtual press conference on Wednesday.

“We believe that [in] two weeks, based upon what I’m being told, everything on our side would be ready but we are not sure that the commercial airlines would be ready,” he told reporters. The restrictions in flights are due to the advent of COVID-19.

He explained that commercial airlines have not yet indicated that they are ready for commercial operations in Guyana and the government has only received applications for chartered flights.

Since the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) took office, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) was able to immediately address the issues of late or delayed flight approvals.

Minister Edghill announced that charter flights have been approved for September and October for Eastern Airlines. These flights are outbound from New York and Miami to Guyana, and these dates will soon be published by the GCAA. West Jet and Caribbean Airlines are being engaged regarding possible incoming flights from Toronto, Canada.

However, as it regards commercial flights, the minster gave the example that Caribbean Airlines in Port of Spain, Trinidad is not open which prevents passage of Guyanese from the United States to Guyana via Caribbean Airlines.

He stated: “The GCAA is in talks, so the engagement of West Jet and others is to get that kind of an operation going.”

Back in July 2020, representatives of the GCAA had noted that phase two of Guyana’s air travel re-opening plan was tentatively estimated for August 28, 2020. However, due to a spike in COVID-19 cases and other concerns as the new administration transitioned, this was pushed back.

STRICT MEASURES IN PLACE

In reopening airports and resuming aircraft operations, the GCAA must focus on regulating aviation safety and security; advocating safety and hygiene practices; promoting safe aviation environments and safer travel; and facilitating tourism in Guyana.

During the month of June and into July, as part of phase one of its reopening plan, the GCAA and former Ministry of Public Health conducted several walk-throughs at the airports, and conducted extensive research on international best practices in dealing with COVID-19.

The authority has mapped the processing of passengers from the time they check-in to departure, or from the time they arrive, and has developed a set of Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs) that are already being used during the repatriation of Guyanese.

The SOPs apply to both the airports and aircraft operators; airport and airline personnel; port health workers; and customs and immigration. Ultimately, they establish safety and hygiene practices for passengers and employees.

INCREASED HEALTH PRECAUTIONS

Furthermore, at the press briefing, the public works minister indicated that the GCAA will continue to provide advice and regulatory guidance to ensure that Guyana best manages its aviation sector during the pandemic.

“We are currently exploring the possibility of the acquisition of mist tunnels that will allow for sanitisation on arrival and departure where needs be,” he said.

It was noted that the government hopes to provide this equipment to Guyana’s two international airports which will prove even more useful upon the reopening of Guyana’s airports. Arrangements are also being made with the private sector for the possibility of rapid testing upon arrival at Guyana’s airports.