Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) has commenced weekly flights to eight communities in Region Eight in response to recent calls for assistance to be given to remote communities that have been faced with shortages of food and other supplies due to COVID-19 traffic restrictions.
In a statement released yesterday, TGA said the weekly flights would be undertaken every Friday to Mahdia, Chenapau, Kaieteur, Karisparu, Paramakatoi, Kurukubaru, Kato and Monkey Mountain. The first flight departed the Eugene F. Correia Inter-national last Friday.
“Trans Guyana Airways has taken on this initiative in response to the Aircraft Owners’ Association of Guyana’s (AOAG) request to address the concerns expressed by the Amerindian People’s Association (APA) and the government with regard to Region 8’s access to food and freight supplies,” it explained.
“The local aviation industry is highly competitive and thus the market forces that result from this dynamic work to keep the industry fair. Trans Guyana Airways will continue to provide a superior and safe service to and for the people of Guyana,” it added.
TGA further said that it continues to take every precaution necessary to curtail the spread of COVID-19, including temperature testing of all passengers and staff, sanitising aircraft before every flight, the compulsory wearing of face masks and hand sanitising before passengers and crew board aircraft. All cargo is similarly sanitised.
It said pricing to locations in Region Eight will be as per the schedule below:
According to the statement, the fare from Mahdia to Ogle (one-way) will be GYD$15,000 per person, while shuttles out of Mahdia can be booked for each Friday. (Interested parties can call the Trans Guyana Airways’ Commercial Department at 222-2525 or email commercial1@transguyana.net for further details on pricing, other destinations and availability).
Just over a week ago local charter airline Air Services Ltd (ASL) denied increasing its prices for flights and freight costs to hinterland regions, after complaints by passengers who said they were being forced to pay more.
The situation prompted APA officials to call for flights to remote areas to be subsidised, while Finance Minister Winston Jordan said the government would be prepared to examine proposals to cap the fares being charged by public transport operators.
