Roraima Airways is awaiting final official approval before taking delivery of a new twin-engine passenger and cargo aircraft which Managing Director Captain Gerry Gouveia told Stabroek Business will significantly enhance the company’s local and regional air transport capabilities.
The new US$5m Polish-manufactured M28 Skytruck which has a capacity to transport 19 passengers or 5,000 pounds of cargo will be the first aircraft of its kind to operate in Guyana. According to Captain Gouveia the acquisition of the new Skytruck will provide Roraima with “additional options” in terms of the movement of passengers and cargo in the interior of Guyana and to destinations across the country’s borders and in the Caribbean.
The M28 Skytruck has been cited by the international aviation industry for its short take-off and landing capacity, a feature which Gouveia says makes it “particularly appropriate” for flying in Guyana and the region.
“What is also important to Roraima is the fact that the Skytruck, because of its particular features, significantly raises the bar in terms of aviation safety standards in the local industry,” Gouveia said.
According to Gouveia the company will be seeking to add four such aircraft to its existing fleet over the next “two to three years.”
Roraima Airways operates cargo and passenger flights to interior and regional destinations and also serves the local tourism industry through flights to various tourist destinations. Some months ago the company secured an agreement with the international courier service FEDEX to transport packages between Guyana and the Caribbean.
Gouveia told Stabroek Business that with the acquisition of the new Skytruck Roraima will be seeking to increase its cross-border flights to Suriname, and to Puerto Ordaz in Venezuela.
According to Gouveia the Roraima Group of Companies has been following regional and international concerns over food security and has noted the role which Guyana is seeking to play in responding to food security concerns being expressed by some Caricom countries.
Gouveia told Stabroek Business that the new aircraft will allow Roraima to pursue the movement of fresh fruit and vegetables to various regional destinations including Barbados, and St Lucia. “What this new aircraft acquisition means, among things, is that local producers in the agricultural sector will now be able to take greater advantage of regional markets for fresh fruit and vegetables in addition to which we will be enhancing the food security of other countries in the region,” Gouveia said.
The arrival of the new M28 Skytruck aircraft in Guyana is currently awaiting Cabinet approval and Captain Gouveia told Stabroek Business that he anticipates that Roraima will secure that approval “in a matter of weeks.”
He said that prior to putting the aircraft into service Roraima will have to put support mechanisms, including maintenance and pilot training, in place.