BY SAMUEL SUKHNANDAN
Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali said the introduction of two new air carriers this year is a significant boost to the local air transportation sector. Speaking with Guyana Times International, Ali said the government has been working hard to build and maintain capacity in the air transport sector.
The acting tourism minister noted that with the introduction of Fly Jamaica and the return of TravelSpan later in the year, there will be a further boost to the existing capacity.
“This is indeed a very important development for the tourism sector and it will have tremendous benefit for us. We have also been focusing heavily on Suriname, as a result of the lack of capacity,” Minister Ali stated.
Additionally, the acting tourism minister revealed plans to work with St Lucia and Barbados, to create a combined tourism package, to promote travel between these countries.
Increase
“During the peak season, we will still have our numbers up,” he said. Further, Minister Ali stated that the ministry, through its tourism drive, has been able to fill many small hotels.
According to him, more than 500 persons have visited Guyana this month from Suriname.
He contended that these and other plans will ensure that the local air transportation sector remains competitive, allowing for cheaper flights and quality services for the travelling public.
The minister also disclosed that the ministry is in discussion with at least three other international airlines to enhance operations in Guyana.
Challenges
Guyana, since the beginning of the year, has been facing some challenges in the air transportation sector, notably unfair competition and high ticket prices.
Government in the past had said that the price implemented by Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) was “outrageous”, even though the airline was granted flag carrier status.
The administration had accused the airline of trying to rake in profits from the high demand in the Guyana market. The Trinidad and Tobago-based CAL, which is carrying a significant debt burden, has taken up the slack and has added flights to its Guyana route since the exit of EZjet and Delta Airlines.
Delta Airlines pulled out earlier this year, saying it was not financially sustainable to operate the Guyana route, a claim that has been debunked by government. CAL has been serving Guyana for decades.
Several airlines have established offices in Guyana, but left for various reasons. These include the EZjet, REDjet, among several others.
Government wants additional airlines to boost the New York route. For CAL, the Georgetown route is one of its busiest.
