Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) yesterday inaugurated its new service between the Eugene F. Correia International Airport (EFCIA) at Ogle and the Grantley Adams International Airport in Bridgetown, Barbados.
The flight originated in Barbados and touched down at Ogle at 10.30 am. Another flight departed for Barbados at 11.25am. Some 20 passengers arrived on the incoming flight and 24 subsequently departed.
Following the recent reopening of Guyana’s airports to commercial flights, the airline announced via its Facebook page last Tuesday that it would begin to serve the Guyana to Barbados route with three weekly flights out of the EFCIA. Its move to service the route comes in wake of the ongoing restructuring of LIAT. LIAT is scheduled to return to the skies today but there has been no word on its Guyana operations.
Sunday Stabroek was told that all COVID-19 precautions were observed at the EFCIA, where one arriving passenger was subjected to a PCR COVID-19 test. Passengers entering Guyana are required to present a negative PCR test for COVID-19 done within seventy-two hours of travel. This allows them to exit the airport and be on their way after clearing Port Health Authorities, Immigration, and Customs.
As a second option, passengers will also be allowed entry into Guyana if they are able to present a negative PCR result of a test taken within four to seven days (4-7) of travel. However, they will be required to do another test upon arrival in Guyana after which the passengers will be free to proceed to their homes or hotels where they will remain isolated. Results will be relayed to all passengers within 24 hours.
The negative PCR test result will have to be shown to the airline operator during the check-in process at the airport of embarkation. And, subsequently, the negative PCR test result will also have to be shown to the Port Health Officials upon arrival at Guyana’s international airports.
The CAL service along the route will see flights on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays that will leave Barbados at 8.30 am and arrive at Ogle at 10.30 am. On the return leg, they will depart Ogle at 11.25 am and are expected to arrive in Barbados at 1.25 pm.
CEO of Caribbean Airlines Garvin Medera, in a statement on the announcement of operating on the route, said “Fulfilling the needs of our customers motivates all that we do, and the launch of service between Ogle and Barbados, is in direct response to stakeholder feedback.
“We value the loyalty and support of our customers and it is heartening that in the midst of the pandemic, we are able to introduce these new flights between Ogle and Barbados. Our teams are looking forward to connecting families and friends.
“We assure you that Caribbean Airlines observes safety protocols which are aligned with the highest international standards for the protection and well-being of our customers and employees.”
The service to and from Ogle complements the airline’s current operations at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri (CJIA), facilitating onward international connections to the UK and beyond and regional connections including St Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, St Vincent, St Lucia and other Caribbean Airlines destinations, CAL said.
Local airlines, Trans Guyana Airways has also announced that it will be operating five weekly flights on the Ogle to Barbados route starting today.
