In addition to increased flights between New York and Georgetown for Christmas, Dynamic International Airways yesterday promised to have an additional aircraft on standby to avoid having a repeat of last year’s flight delays and postponements.
The company also announced that its cargo service on the same route is now operational.
“I will ensure that there is a back-up aircraft in the region just in case, because, as you know, it’s Christmas time,” Chief Operations Officer of the airline John Mullins announced yesterday at a press conference.
Mullins informed that the move to have an additional aircraft on standby was to allay the fears of anxious travelers. He also said Dynamic does not want a repeat of last year’s delays and he does not expect the Guyanese populace to tolerate it either.
Local Area Representative for the Company Gerry Gouveia told Stabroek News that from November right into January, 2016, there will be daily flights to and from New York to Guyana.
This, he said, will be coupled with the start of the company’s cargo service.
However, the airline cannot yet make full use of its available 10-tonne cargo space to take produce to the United States because Guyana does not yet have the scanner needed to check the items and has to rely on it being done manually.
“Because security is such a major issue, we need a scanner to check the produce and all items before it goes into the cargo hold… we don’t have it as yet, so that is a minor setback but we want to flood New York with our fruits and vegetables,” Gouveia said.
Guyana is a known transshipment point for drugs and there have been numerous cases of narcotics being smuggled in local produce, including many fruits and vegetables.
Gouveia said Guyanese living in the New York area have lamented a lack of Guyana’s organic foods and his company wants to meet the demand for the local produce.
He added that government has already assured that the scanner will be had soon and that it has been catered for in the 2016 budget.
Gouveia also said his company will be working with farmers and potential exporters to meet international standards.
Meanwhile, Dynamic also announced that it is working with Guyana’s 50th Independence Anni-versary Celebration Committee to ensure that the 25,000 persons scheduled to travel into the country for the anniversary celebrations have desired flights and matching rates.
Gouveia also said he was pleased to report that the airline is currently operating with 95% on time arrival and departures.
“We have achieved and continue to have on time scheduled arrivals and departures from Georgetown to New York while maintaining affordable fares for the Guyanese people and the rest of the world. Keeping with our promises made, approximately fifteen (15) months ago, when we entered this market, we at Dynamic are here to stay and serve,” the airline also said in a statement.
