Ali says looking forward for more competition in Guyana’s airline industry

By Sabatini Daniels

Struggling to find an alternative to Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL), which has recently hiked its fares, the Guyana government is now courting COPA Airlines to service the local market, acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali said on Friday.

At a press conference Ali announced that government has approached COPA Airlines, which is based in Panama, to examine

the possibility of having that airline operate in and out of Guyana. He stated that there have been initial discussions with the airline and as a result, a team from COPA Airlines is expected to visit Guyana soon, to analyse the market and to confirm its interest in a possible collaboration.

Ali also noted that Fly Jamaica has indicated that before the end of July, it should commence operations in the country, which will ease the burden of Guyanese who are now wholly dependent on Caribbean Airlines.

The minister said since CAL will be facing more competition, the air carrier should utilise this time to build customer loyalty, rather than focusing on taking advantage of the situation to increase travel rates.

“So regardless of what happens, you will have a loyal customer base who knows that you are a good carrier and who know they can get a good price out of you… you can’t create an atmosphere now where the prices are ridiculously high that persons lose trust and confidence in you, just because of your fares,” he stressed.

Ali noted that the hike in CAL’s prices has been challenging, since summer is one of the peak visitor periods. However, he expressed hope that Fly Jamaica will pick up the slack, once it becomes operational in the country. “I’ll be very frank, I cannot wait until the competition comes in,” he declared.

In light of CAL defending its prices by saying late bookings mean passengers pay more, the minister added, “If you book late, early, half year, there is no way you can be paying US$ 1400 for economy-class tickets to the U. S., there is no way you should be paying US$ 800 for economy-class tickets to Trinidad. The Trinidadians don’t pay it – we should not be asked to pay it, it’s clear as that.”

He said the government has received informal requests for CAL to be taken before the Caribbean Competition Commission for the hike in airfares, but did not disclose if it was contemplating doing so.

Updating the media on ongoing talks between the governments of Guyana and Trinidad spurred by the fare hike, Ali said these discussions are coming along with mutual respect.

Minister Ali also noted that CAL should be congratulated in certain positive aspects of its operations.

“When the gap was created when EZjet and Delta exited, Caribbean Airlines added almost four to five additional flights and triple up the seats which come into Guyana,” he reminded.

When questioned if Guyana is contemplating taking flagship carrier status from CAL, he said the issue should not be looked at giving and taking away. He underscored that Guyana derives certain benefits from the arrangement, such as direct flights out of Guyana – something tourists has been calling for a long time now.