Ez jet Services Incorporated Chief Executive Officer Sonny Ramdeo
EZ jet Services Incorporated Chief Executive Officer Sonny Ramdeo, an American-based Guyanese, on Friday, March 9, refuted claims that his company has ties to the Guyana government and that the airline is not making any profit.
Ramdeo made the comments during a news briefing at Cara Lodge in the presence of some of his executive staff. The air carrier owner took the opportunity to lash out at the usually sensational Kaieteur News for alleging that he received help from former President Bharrat Jagdeo and others to start up the business.
“EZ jet air services has no affiliation whatsoever with any political parties and I want to get that abundantly clear to those individuals out there (the media and the public),” he stated.
According to Ramdeo, EZ jet went through the normal process of acquiring its licenses in Georgetown, and was granted same based on a feasibility study that was done.
Kaieteur News had reported that EZ jet was granted its license to operate in Guyana because of its affiliation with the government.
The newspaper had also alleged that the airline started to operate at a loss, taking some six passengers to the JFK International Airport and brought back seven passengers.
At the briefing, the newspaper questioned Ramdeo on whether he is able to manage the business with such allegedly low figures. But the EZ jet CEO said the information was false, noting that some 218 passengers were on the first flight from Georgetown to New York and back.
This number has increased to 4300 passengers in December to 7500 in January. This figure could likely increase in the coming months.
Ramdeo was later questioned about his financial capabilities, particularly how he cannot afford to pay a house mortgage of US$ 387,000 but was able to plug US$ 1.5 million into the starting up of EZ jet operations.
“Actually part of my mortgage is what was used to fund this startup company. Over the years, I accumulated personal assets such as retirement funds, investment option,” Ramdeo said.
He told media operatives that the US$ 1.5 million investment was able to cater for the aircraft and other necessities while the flights have been paying for themselves.
He said “The difference between what we are doing versus what our competitors are doing is that they are scheduled airlines and we are not, even though we operate on a regular basis”.
The service, he said is being operated on a charter basis because there was not a significant amount of capital to invest in an entire airline.
“The charter programme is now paying for itself and our operations, as we try to rebuild a national carrier for Guyana.” Ramdeo posited that his mortgage does not have any bearing on the opportunity to develop a business.
“Certainly, if you have a home mortgage and you truly believe in a business, that you’ve done homework and research, it’s a worthwhile investment.”
Ramdeo also said that he has a full-time job in the medical field in the U.S., and owns three other businesses besides EZ jet.
The management team had forecasted a loss at the start up of EZjet operations but the opposite happened.
EZ jet Chief Operating Officer Richard Lee said that the airline cannot promise that it will be in Guyana forever.
However, Lee noted that unlike many airlines that have operated in Guyana and left, EZ jet would not do the same, and based on its research it will not stop operating in Guyana anytime soon.
The executive noted that EZ jet is not “a fly by night” airline service. He said that the company will ensure it remains competitive with other carriers.
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