With Guyana’s international airports reopened to facilitate commercial flights, several airline operators have filed applications with the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to resume operations, Director General Lt. Col. (ret’d) Egbert Field said yesterday.
Guyana will today be receiving its first commercial flight after the reopening from US-based newcomer Eastern Airlines. The flight, due to touch down at 12.30pm, will be from the Miami International Airport.
Field yesterday told Stabroek News that the GCAA will first have to review the various airlines’ applications, which include proposed start up dates.
He noted that they will have to work out flight schedules to ensure there are no clashes in the coming weeks. Additionally, Field pointed out that they will have to work along with port health authorities to ensure that they are not overwhelmed and that safety is not threatened in relation to COVID-19. He foresees the entire review process being completed within a week’s time.
A document shared by President Irfaan Ali on his Facebook page yesterday stated that airlines have responded positively to government’s announcement of the reopening of the country’s airports.
The document stated that Eastern Airlines was ready to operate immediately with four weekly flights from Miami and New York City, while Copa Airlines will operate three flights weekly from Panama with a proposed start up on October 26. For American Airlines, it was stated that it will operate six flights weekly from Miami from November 4.
Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) is still to finalise its flight schedule and is likely to begin flights later this month.
Field yesterday noted that CAL has asked to begin flights between Guyana and Barbados later this month and approval has been given.
The country’s two international airports on Sunday said they were ready to begin receiving passengers from today.
In a three-page advertisement published in the Sunday Stabroek, both the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the Eugene F Correia International Airport said they have put strict steps in place to help control and stem the spread of COVID-19.
Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, who has responsibility for aviation, announced that the guidelines adopted by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority follow those of the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Air Trans-port Association.
“These measure are designed to ensure the safety of the travelling public. The Cheddi Jagan International Airport recently attained the Health Accreditation from the Airports Council Inter-national, Latin America and the Caribbean. This accreditation is testimony of the airport’s ongoing commitment in prioritizing health and safety measures for all travellers…,” Edghill said in the advertisement.
He noted, too, that the Eugene F. Correia International Airport is also in a state of readiness to accommodate international flights. GCAA and health officials conducted several assessments of the airport and are satisfied with the measures in place, Edghill said.
Further Col. (Ret’d) Anthony Mekdeci, Chief Executive Officer of the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, said that the airport has met all the requirements outlined by the GCAA and health authorities.
“What has happened is all the protocols that have been recommended and required, we have put in place, like social distancing, sanitization, masks are in place. All of that has been done to make sure we are ready as far as we are concerned right now, we are ready,” Mekdeci underscored.
According to the guidelines put in place by airport authorities and the Ministry of Health, “If the PCR test is done within 72 hrs of travel, the passenger will not be required to do another PCR test on arrival. If the PCR test is done within 4-7 days of travel, the passenger will be required to do a PCR test on arrival,” Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony said.
Incoming passengers who hold negative COVID-19 test results older than 72 hours will be subjected to a second PCR test and are likely to have to wait at the airports for approximately four hours before receiving their results.
“Once we confirm the results and your test is negative then you will be allowed to leave the airport,” Anthony explained in the advertisement.
The two major airports were closed to commercial flights from midnight of March 18th, although special permission was granted to several airlines to operate repatriation flights in and out of Guyana and flights to transport oil company workers during this period.
