The government today said it is working “aggressively” to commence commercial flight operations at the two international airports in the shortest possible time.
A statement from Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill follows:
Both the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and Eugene Correia International Airports are open to facilitate repatriation flights, outgoing flights, cargo flights, medical evacuation flights, technical stop for fuel and special authorised flights.
Several air operators such as Eastern Airlines, Caribbean Airlines, Trans Guyana Airways, Roraima Airways and Exxon Mobil flights are permitted to operate special authorised and repatriation flights to process passengers desirous of coming to Guyana, once they satisfy the necessary health, safety and aviation regulatory requirements.
It is against this backdrop that both airports were able to process over five thousand three hundred (5,300) passengers on sixty-three (63) flights, arriving from Canada, United States of America, United Kingdom & the Caribbean during the last four (4) months.
Over the next thirty (30) days, we anticipate another two thousand (2000) passengers arriving into CJIA and three hundred and fifty (350) at the Eugene Correia International Airport.
Government through the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Airport Authority are also working aggressively with the various regional and international air carriers to commence commercial flight operations in the shortest possible time. Engagement with these carriers is presently ongoing.
While the current measures in place at the airports are robust, the Ministry of Health and the relevant Stakeholders are working to improve the timely and efficient processing and monitoring of passengers arriving into the country. Some of the initiatives that will be introduced are:
1. ‘Mist Towers’ to reduce the exposure to Covid-19.
2. PCR Testing on arrival at the airport.
3. Mobile Application to facilitate easy passenger engagement while in self-quarantine.
4. Website for easy passenger interface.
The Government of Guyana is committed to working with all stakeholders and private sector bodies to reopen the economy to improve the livelihood, inclusive of employment opportunities for our citizens.
The health and well-being of our people is paramount and your government will continuously evaluate the measures in place during this pandemic.
I implore the general public to strictly adhere to the health guidelines that are in place to protect against the spread of COVID-19.
