Fed up with years of complaints and challenges and now the possibility that the Ogle Airport Inc (OAI) can seize their assets if they default on payments, nine out of ten operators at the Ogle Airport yesterday formed the National Air Transport Association (NATA).
“What I believe caused a trigger was a document that was presented to the Board of Directors of the airport (OAI) and it went to the board for approval……that document was such a draconian document,” Vice President of the newly formed NATA, Gerry Gouveia told a press conference yesterday at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Ten companies: Air Services Limited (ASL), Roraima Airways, Hinter-land Aviation, Oxford Aviation, Phoenix Air-ways, Domestic Airways, Jags Aviation, Wings Aviation, Hopkinson Mining Aviation and Trans Guyana Airways operate out of the Ogle Airport. However the latter company is not a part of this new group.
Gouveia went on to further dissect the rejected document saying “This document was demanding that the operators at Ogle sign this document that hands over a lien on our planes, vehicles, boats and whatever it is that we own at Ogle to the airport so that if we owe them landing fees they could seize our planes and our buildings”.
The document, a sixteen-page contract, titled ‘Airport Operators Agreement’, states “In the event that payment remains outstanding, thereafter, OAI may at its entire discretion, sell, dispose of, remove or destroy such aircraft or equipment.”
It says too that the company can levy fees incurred by any aircraft or property for storage or otherwise during the lien and the company might further exercise a lien for unpaid fees, charges, costs or other liabilities as it sees fit.
Gouveia said that the smaller operators at the Ogle Airport were not consulted about the document and believes that it would have been passed at an OAI Board Meeting if not for its rejection by two other operators present at the meeting.
However, NATA’s claim was rejected by Chief Executive Officer of OAI, Michael Correia, who blasted Gouveia for peddling what he said were untruths and told Stabroek News that his company, Trans Guyana Airways, was not invited to join NATA.
“We were not invited to be members of that association I think all the rest were,” Correia said.
“All I can say is wow because what they claim is far from the truth. We only have two seats out of seven (on the OAI Board). That document was prepared by a lawyer hired by the board in keeping with international best practices. The board actually discussed and what was agreed was that there needed to be changes. ASL said they will submit their changes to the document and Ronald Recce, who represented Wings Aviation said he will submit his recommendations before it comes back to the board,” he added.
He said that he was “disappointed” that Gouveia would give a skewed version of events and further pointed out that even when the board agrees on the document it would have to obtain Guyana Civil Aviation Authority approval before it can be implemented.
He informed that OAI will tomorrow host a press conference of its own to answer questions and hopes that it can give the public insight into the truth of the matter.
NATA says that it will represent all aviation personnel, amalgamating the views, needs and interests of all aviation stakeholders. “This …association will include pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, mechanics, flight operators, ramp attendants, owners, operators as well as aviation medical and legal personnel,” its President Annette Arjoon said.
“Our objectives are as follows: to represent the interests of the aviation sector at a national level, to provide advocacy for the sector and to develop the sector by consulting, advising and collaborating with the Government of Guyana and all aviation stakeholders,” she also said.
Meanwhile, members of the organisation said that they unanimously reject the mooted renaming of the Ogle International Airport to the Eugene F. Correia Airport, a suggestion President David Granger recently said could be implemented to pay tribute to the late veteran aviator. They believe that the name gives the Trans Guyana Company a marketing advantage as the Correia name is linked to their operation.
The Trans Guyana CEO made clear yesterday that his company did not influence Granger’s suggestion and felt that because the President is a historian the proposal was made. He pointed out that initially all the members of the board agreed to the change but then backpedalled.
“The name change issue, that President David Granger had proposed. He made that request to the board … all the members discussed it and while they had some initial reservations the board agreed to the name change. The board has written to the president indicating this but since that has happened a number of them have changed their minds it seems,” Correia said.
“I think they are making a mountain out of a molehill. I think that is something that is put out there and there should be no reason for opposition because anyway most of the customers have the two things when considering (options) and that is the price and service. I don’t see how the name can change that,” he added.
Nonetheless, he said that he would not be annoyed if the change is not approved by the board or the president suggests another name. “If he wants it to go back to Ogle no problem, if a different name then same board again and same process but no I won’t be annoyed. Why should I?” he questioned.
