Hoping to tap into the Christmas peak season, Turks and Caicos-based interCaribbean Airlines will from December 17 begin servicing the Barbados to Guyana route daily and promises that it is in for the long haul.
“… I know we will be successful because we are here for the long haul,” Chairman of Caribbean Airlines Lyndon Gardiner told the Stabroek News last evening, following the airline’s official launch at the headquarters of its local handlers, Roraima Airways, at Duke Lodge in Kingston, Georgetown.
And while during the pandemic period many persons saw investing in expanding in airline services as “doom and gloom”, Gardiner told attendees at last evening’s launch that he chose to look at the glass as “half full” and pressed on with the investment, opening a base in base in Barbados as the airline prepared and worked on getting the Guyana licence.
“We started the process three years ago, but only under this government that we were able to make this a reality,” he said as he thanked a number of persons, too many to be individually listed, for their input in making operations here a reality.
Operating from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, at Timehri, the four-plane fleet airline promises to bring stellar service to persons looking to travel to Barbados and linking to other global destinations or return home from Bridgetown.
Introductory rates start at US$153 one-way from Georgetown to Bridgetown. However, the return fare is US$212.
interCaribbean Airways boasts two ERJ145 50-passenger jets, eight 30-passenger Embraer 120 aircraft equipped with lavatories, a galley and flight attendant service, as well as a 9-passenger Britten Norman Islander.
The airline on its website stated that two additional ERJ145 aircraft have been acquired and are being prepared for entry into service, alongside a new fleet type to be announced later.
Gardiner assured that customer service is not taken lightly by the airline and it offers online and in person contacts here, along with a list of telephone numbers.
With about 40 Guyanese employed in different portfolios at his company, he said that “Guyana holds a special place” in his heart since it was predominantly Guyanese teachers, working in his homeland, who helped to mould him into the successful businessman he is today.
Minister responsible for the aviation sector, Juan Edghill, who was present at the launch, told attendees that while the airline had submitted its application over three years ago and had received its first permission this year, negotiations to ensure commitment and sufficient bond to cover liabilities had to be conducted before granting the green light to begin operations.
Edghill sounded a warning that the government will hold Gardiner to his word, and later informed that an ample bond has been secured from the airline.
“Saying to the Guyanese public we are launching an airline; interCaribbean… the question was asked how long this will last. And that is why as minister responsible for aviation, I took a long walk through the realities of ensuring what we are doing would not be a disappointment,” Edghill said.
The fact that interCaribbean is an established airline, according to Edghill, makes it easier for its entrance to the market here, as he pointed to Gardiner’s assurance that he takes his business seriously and Guyanese would not be disappointed. “With that type of commitment, we would have some amount of assurance and ease. He added Guyana to the destinations he is already doing,” Edghill said.
The minister reminded that service to most people here is important and charged the airline to ensure that world-class service is offered and sustained, as it increases destinations in the region.
“Linking the Caribbean is very important… I know we are talking about flights during the pandemic for people to get to India faster than to Guyana, they could have gotten to Europe or Australia easier.
“Welcome aboard and on behalf of the people of Guyana, I say, welcome. And please, the people of Guyana would love to have an airline that provides a world class service, that I know you are capable of providing. The sustainability of this project is very important. We want it to stay, we want it to grow,” Edghill declared.
interCaribbean Airways was founded as InterIsland Airways in 1991 and three years later, as stated on its profile on its website, the Turks and Caicos government started a push toward international development and it “seemed the time had come for the Turks and Caicos to have its own international airline.”
“Thus began an ambitious expansion project that involved adding international destinations and acquiring larger and faster aircraft. The company re-branded to become Air Turks & Caicos to serve key international destinations with scheduled flights to cities in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and The Bahamas,” the website profile states.
After operating for 10 years as Air Turks & Caicos, the company re-branded to become interCaribbean Airways.
