Regional carrier LIAT yesterday made history when it landed the first international commercial flight at the Ogle International Airport, marking the start of its daily service from Barbados.
An air of excitement filled the atmosphere at the airport for the landing, which was eagerly photographed by those who were present to witness the arrival of the flight between the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados and Ogle.
The aircraft, which was showered in water by an awaiting Guyana Fire Service tender as it glided along the runway, landed at 2:40 pm, ten minutes after its scheduled arrival time. It was packed to capacity. According to airport officials, it was the same for the return flight and some even suggested that there might have been confusion for departure as the airline had booked over 70 passengers for the 50-seat capacity aircraft.
The Ogle Airport was recently upgraded with regional class certification. Its proximity to Georgetown and the reduced flying time are seen as being among the advantages of the new flights and passengers who spoke with Stabroek News confirmed as much.
One passenger, who stated that she would be staying in Campbellville, happily noted the fact that the Ogle Airport was much closer to her destination than the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri (CJIA). Another passenger also commented on the convenience of landing at the Ogle International Airport, stating that she will be heading to Berbice and was very happy that her journey had been shortened.
Andrew Michelin, who was also aboard the flight, stated that he was very happy to be on it. Michelin, who lives in Antigua and visits Guyana occasionally, further added that “the people in the customs and immigration department are very charming and welcoming.”
Collin Abut, another passenger, said that while there was mild turbulence during the flight, nevertheless the view above ground while the aircraft was landing was breath-taking and he was happy to be a part of it.
Another passenger was overheard saying that he had just arrived at Ogle and would be at home in ten minutes.
Meanwhile, at a brief press conference after the landing, Transport Minister Robeson Benn stated that he was very pleased that the first international flight at the airport became a reality. He called it a fairly significant transformational activity for air transport in and out of Guyana. “This venture has long been a dream and initiative, supported by both the government and private sector, which came together as a public-private partnership and were funded significantly by the European Union with respect to having this development,” Benn stated, while adding that the government was very pleased and thankful for the support it received from the European Union. In addition, he also congratulated and thanked Chairman of the Ogle Airport Incorporated (OAI) board Michael Correia Jr and his team, including Chief Executive Officer Anthony Mekdeci, for making the venture a success.
Benn further stated that there has been a great interest at the level of Caricom in the project, since the airport is a mere two to three miles away from the Caricom headquarters, which will make facilitating Caricom meetings much easier.
He also mentioned the two significant activities coming up in Brazil—the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic games—and stated that the Ogle Airport strives to breach the logistic gap, allowing for free business transactions within South America.
When questioned about security at the airport, Benn assured that all the necessary steps have been taken to ensure that the facility is well-secured.
OAI spokesperson Kit Nascimento added that Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee chairs a monthly security meeting and also that all the security measures required and in place at CJIA are also in place at the Ogle Airport.
It was further reiterated by Security Consultant Harold Hopkinson that “Ogle has learnt from CJIA and we will not make the same mistakes when it comes to security and we have a competent team of persons in charge of security.”
