Flying directly from Barbados, InterCaribbean Airways’ inaugural flight touched down at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri (CJIA) yesterday to signal the imminent launch of new flight options for travellers and connectivity to over 13 Caribbean destinations.
The inaugural flight is the manifestation of a conversation which started five years ago, Trevor Saddler, interCaribbean Airlines Chief Executive Officer said in his remarks marking the occasion at the CJIA. He noted that plans to operate on the Guyana/Barbados route were delayed due to the pandemic. Saddler explained that with 30 years of service in the industry, the airline is committed to servicing the needs of passengers from Guyana.
Speaking of his company’s plan for the Guyana market, he said that they will be investing heavily in local content and providing opportunities for Guyanese. As of next week, the company is scheduled to commence training for a number of flight attendants and will embark on the hiring of pilots and other supporting staff.
Saddler also stated that his company is currently engaged in the construction of a local office and will very shortly be open to the public at the Giftland Mall.
Some 48 passengers, including Barbadian Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Lisa Cummins, and Permanent Secretary, Donna Cadogan, were a part of the inaugural flight yesterday afternoon.
Cummins, in remarks, noted that the operations of the airline between the two countries can accelerate their plans for trade and tourism and open new opportunities for locals.
According to her, she has been working along with Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond to bring to life the visions of President Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Mia Mottley.
The country leaders have committed to developing their bilateral relations and creating opportunities in the area of commerce and tourism.
“This is such a tremendous opportunity for us to develop, not just today’s single flight, from Barbados to Guyana, but also the further development of close relationships,” Cummins said.
Apart from the development of marketing the two countries’ tourism package as one, Cummins said that they are also looking at the possibilities of finding products to trade and engage in cargo activities. “…the two countries are able to identify goods, products in particular that originate in Guyana, and can come and be sold in Barbados and in the reverse… We want people to see what we see,” she added before noting that Guyana and Barbados have a lot of mutual interest. “Guyana feels like home, and flying over Guyana it was beautiful, it was stunning and it is a tribute to the partnerships that we have committed to in the tourism industry, where flights, like today’s flight, interCaribbean, direct from Barbados will make it possible,” she emphasised.
She also stated that the two countries have agreed to share information on tourism opportunities in the media to the benefit of locals.
While welcoming the new airline, Walrond said her government is committed to providing initiatives to support initiatives that will give travellers options.
Noting that the Guyanese market remains underserved, the minister said government is ready to engage in conversation interested airlines to increase the travelling options for outbound and inbound passengers.
Walrond stressed further that “Eyes are turned to Guyana, bodies are turned to Guyana, the leisure travellers and the business travellers, they’re all coming to Guyana and Guyana is a prime spot, and prime place for these kinds of investments, and we congratulate interCaribbean for taking the leap, we know that there will be many more, there is space still.”
The arrival of the new airlines, she added, is a clear indication that investors are confident of putting their resources into the Guyana market. She pointed out that Guyana is no longer a country being spoken of or viewed as one with potential but rather one where “potential [is] realised due to the upward trajectory of growth and development.”
With a slight delay in the inaugural flight due to unfavourable weather conditions, Walrond put the company on notice that delays will not be encouraged.
Meanwhile, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, who is responsible for the aviation sector, cautioned the airline to “Serve Guyana well.”
“I think the main focus at this time is that people want to have confidence in an airline… and based on what I know there will be several options and convenient flight times, in and out of Guyana with interCaribbean, some days multiple flights and that is what is important, so the Guyanese public should have a good treat,” he added.
In his brief remarks, he welcomed the airline to Guyana and informed that its arrival is viewed as a partnership for development as Guyana needs better connectivity and travel options. “We want to see dozens of airlines operating out of Guyana. I did say to interCaribbean at their launch, competition is good and we encourage competition, but we must also be partners,” he added.
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.
