The Government of Guyana is seeking to have a major European airline enter the local market and is in advanced negotiations, according to a press release yesterday from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI).
It said that the an-nouncement by Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) management that it will discontinue its London route in January 2016 was one that was anticipated for some time now and MPI had long since commenced the groundwork to attract airlines to fly this route.
‘In recent month, we have ramped up our efforts to have a major European Carrier provide airlift to Guyana.
This is to facilitate easy travel for the estimated 100,000 Guyanese living in the United Kingdom and the many European visitors that want to come and experience Destination Guyana”, stated David Patterson, Minister of Public Infra-structure.
A delegation from the Ministries of Public Infrastructure and Tourism will meet Executives of several airlines at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, United Kingdom from November 2 to 5, 2015 to negotiate.
“WTM is considered the leading global event for the travel industry, which will offer our delegation a unique opportunity to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business,” Patterson added.
Simultaneously, a team headed by Patterson and Ramesh Ghir, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation will continue ongoing negotiations with several North American airlines at their respective Headquarters in the United States.
The release added that Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, met and was updated on Jet Blue’s plan to provide airlift to Guyana.
The release said that the Ministry will work closely with CAL’s management to ensure that passengers who are displaced on the London route will be refunded or accommodated on other flights.
