Tourism Minister Manniram Prashad on Monday met with representatives of the major airline carriers to address service as the peak travelling season approaches.
The meeting, which was held in the Minister’s office, was attended by General Manager of Caribbean Airlines, Carlton Defour, Manager of Delta Airlines Junior Horatio, LIAT’s Sales and Facilitation Manager Stephan Michael, Manager of META airlines Andrea Farias and David Goberdhan, Duty Officer of Sky Service.
During the discussions, the airlines revealed that they are expecting a heavy travelling period between the months of June and September. Accord-ing to Prashad this indicates that in spite of the global financial crisis persons are still travelling. He said that plans are being made to have more Immigration Officers on duty at the airport. The Minister explained that complaints have been made concerning the length of time it takes customers to clear immigration and he said that the supply of additional Immigration Officers should help to reduce any delays.
Prashad also raised concerns about passengers travelling to Guyana and arriving without their baggage and pointed out that this was often a frustrating experience for travellers. Defour, in response, explained that Caribbean Airlines has set up a special Task Force to address the issue. He said that should anyone arrive without their baggage, the Task force has been given the responsibility of ensuring that the luggage arrives within 24-hours.
Meanwhile, the issue regarding advertised prices was raised, since customers have complained that they often see one price advertised in the media but when they attempt to book their flights they are told a different price. The representatives promised that any official advertisements coming from the airlines would feature the price of the airfare, inclusive of the tax. However, they emphasized that those customers who discover anything amiss should contact the airlines for clarifications.
The Minister also announced that during the peak travelling season the Canadian charter Sky Services will be flying between Guyana and the North American country. Goberdhan said that the charter will be flying every Tuesday to Guyana between June 30 and September 8 and every other Saturday during this period.
Prashad said that he has been in discussions with American Airlines about the prospects of having even more flights coming to Guyana. Prashad also suggested that the price for airfares should come down since the cost of aviation fuel has dropped.
Delta Airlines Manager Junior Horatio said that from July 1 there will be new baggage stipulations on all international routes. This, he said, would see passengers paying US$50 for the second piece of luggage they wish to carry. He said that all passengers will be allowed to carry one piece of 50 lbs and a carry-on piece of 40 lbs. Currently, the weight limit for a carry on piece is 15 lbs. According to Horatio the decision to introduce payment for baggage for international flights was done after the initiative was successfully implemented at the domestic level. He point out that Delta would be the second carrier, after British Airways, to implement the measure on international flights.
Defour, however, said that Caribbean Airlines will not be following suit and that there passengers will be allowed to carry two pieces 50 lbs on international flights in addition to a 16- lb carry-on piece.
