REDjet CEO Ian Burns (right) addresses the business community; GCCI’s President Komal Ramnauth (centre) and other GCCI officials are at the head table
Guyana continues to shoulder the heaviest burden in the overpriced regional airline industry as the Caribbean retains the highest airfare structure in the world. This is according to Chief Executive Officer of REDjet, Ian Burns. He said this is so because Guyana is the most southerly destination in the Caribbean and travellers are left at the mercy of other regional carriers. The REDjet CEO, who was delivering the feature address at the business luncheon of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), said that the low cost carrier is here to answer the commercial needs of local travellers, and looks forward to similar discussions with government.
Burns said that the airline’s attempt to enter the regional market under the existing open skies policy is well documented. He lashed out at the region for playing “catch-up” with the rest of the world and for refusing to adopt an open skies policy where liberal ground rules provide market competition and where there is limited restriction on air travel.
“Guyana, its people, and particularly its President Bharrat Jagdeo, have been especially good to REDjet, supporting us since day one and advocating for a policy of open skies throughout Caricom that would allow regional airlines to fly freely to and from member states,” Burns related. He detailed that REDjet is here to champion the cause of the traveller by driving the cost of travel down in a relentless quest to ensure that everyone can fly.
Drawing similarity between GCCI and REDjet, Burns said GCCI was established in 1889 as a commercial community appointed to satisfy a long-felt need that existed for a duly constituted body by whom questions affecting the commercial interest of the colony could be discussed and addressed.
“For REDjet, the idea of a low-fare airline to service the Caribbean region was the fulfillment of a long- felt need for more affordable travel in this part of the world,” the airline CEO said.
Burns stated that Caricom, like the European Union, has been struggling to achieve regional integration, which was only implemented after the EU tackled two burning issues of free movement and capital. The airline, although accused of practising predatory pricing, adopts a marketing strategy that varies from traditional carriers and promises non-stop jet service, no over-bookings and no hidden fees.
During brief remarks, President of GCCI, Komal Ramnauth, said the chamber did not envisage that the aviation luncheon on safety and pricing would coincide with the crash of Caribbean Airlines’ Flight BW523.
He praised God for averting what could have been a major disaster in the history of Guyana’s aviation sector, which turned out to be a miracle, since no lives were lost.
Ramnauth said that safety in Guyana’s aviation industry has never come under heavy scrutiny, as the relevant authorities have always ensured compliance with international safety rules and regulations.
“It is the fervent hope of the chamber that our airport safety measures are not found wanting at this time in our economic history, when all efforts are being made to foster stronger economic growth through foreign investment and the development of our tourism industry,” the GCCI president stated.
He added that, against this background, Guyana’s aviation sector has become a sour topic among the travelling public, who are made to pay phenomenal airfares whether travelling to Europe, North America, or the Caribbean.
Ramnauth said this has served not only to hamper intra-regional travel, be it for business or leisure within Caricom, but also travel in and out of Guyana to the wider world.
“Within this context, we are happy to welcome REDjet into our airspace, not only here in Guyana, but within the Caribbean community.
We are particularly heartened with the decision of the Trinidad and Tobago and the Jamaican governments to grant landing rights to REDJet.” Ramnauth pointed out that competition in any sector augurs well for that sector; and while REDjet has brought this to the fore, Guyanese can only hope that other airlines will look to include Guyana as a destination.
The session was attended by members of the Private Sector Commission, the business community, the media and presidential candidates of the opposition, David Granger and Khemraj Ramjattan.
