Roraima Airways in collaboration with Blue Wings Airlines of Suriname yesterday launched its direct flight service from Ogle International Airport to Zorg-En-Hoop International Airport in Paramaribo, Suriname.
The privately owned airlines currently offer a thrice per week service between Timehri and Zorg-en-Hoop and with the new service from Ogle, flights will be made five days a week.
Speaking at the launch, Roraima Airways owner Gerry Gouveia said this was a proud moment for him and Blue Wings Airlines and he assured that the Timehri service will continue.
Gouveia said he will continue to work diligently to provide a high quality of service to the travelling public.
Meanwhile Marketing Director of Blue Wings, Kenneth Cyrus said that he was very happy with the new service being offered and pointed out that it is more convenient and will save business persons more time between the countries. The trip between the two airports takes 50 minutes. Cyrus also noted the increased number of aircraft in the airline’s fleet. The service now has 10 aircraft.
Blue Wings Airlines has been operating for nearly four years and Flight Coordinator Zorida Mohamedraja said that at present the fare for flights from Ogle will be US$199 return, from Monday to Friday.
On Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Mohamedraja said, flights will depart Ogle International Airport in the mornings while on Wednesdays and Fridays flights will depart in the afternoons.
When demand increases, she said, so too will the number of flights per day.
Meanwhile, Mohamedraja said that discussions are still ongoing with the Suriname government to have more than one flight into Zorg-en-Hoop.
She noted that flights between Zorg-en-Hoop and Timehri will still be as scheduled – every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
And addressing safety issues, Gouveia said that safety is of paramount importance, adding that both the Surinamese and Guyanese governments are highly committed to the highest standards of safety and professionalism.
He noted that there are challenges to safety but he will continue to embrace adequate training, adding that aviation continues to be the highest in terms of transportation safety.