Months of negotiations between the Guyana Government and the United Kingdom flag carrier, British Airways (BA) have resulted in the airline agreeing to commence twice-weekly flights from March 2023, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill announced yesterday.
“British Airways is the new carrier to enter Guyana’s market…British Airways is a world renowned airline and is the UK’s primary flag carrier and its service is of great standard…” Edghill, who has the responsibility for the aviation sector yesterday said during a press conference.
Edghill disclosed that the airline will offer flights via St. Lucia using a Boeing 777-200ER aircraft catering for 332 passengers per flight. Flights are scheduled for Mondays and Thursdays. The minister said British Airways has commenced the sale of tickets.
The inaugural flight on the route is scheduled for March 27, 2023 departing from London Gatwick at 11.35 am.
Negotiations between the parties moved swiftly after President Irfaan Ali and Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond visited the UK in April this year.
With the airline being one of the largest carriers to serve the Guyana market, Edghill said they have rightly demanded that China Harbour and Engineering Corporation construct two new air bridges to accommodate code D&E types of aircraft.
“Wide bodied/transatlantic aircraft from places, like Europe can easily be accommodated with our extended boarding corridor and the two additional boarding bridges, which are currently being installed. The installation of the bridges is scheduled for completion in September,” Edghill said, while pointing out that, “This expansion will provide tremendous benefits to Guyanese, mainly through reduced costs for travel and export.”
The Minister underscored that within the last two years, they have been able to double the number of aircraft operating here. This, he said, advances the objective to position Guyana as a hub for flights between North and South America and the Caribbean.
The Minister went on to state that with the addition of BA to the Guyana route there will be an additional 1328 seats per week available to travellers. This, he said, indicates a growing aviation sector. As of July 2022, he explained that Guyana has 627,318 seats available per annum to travelers. This is much more than what was available to Guyana prior to the COVID pandemic.
According to Walrond the operations of BA present vast potential for the tourism sector.
“We foresee endless possibilities as Guyana’s tourism product is unique. Birding, nature and adventure enthusiasts will find paradise in our untouched rainforests and savannahs, home to 820+ species of birds and exotic wildlife.”
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“What’s even more important is the fact that the United Kingdom, one of our main source markets has significant demand for experiences which align with Guyana’s tourism products and which will, without a doubt, result in an influx of travellers to Guyana through this new route,” the minister stressed.
Before agreeing to add Guyana to its global route, Walrond explained that they had to assure the principals of BA that the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri is positioned and equipped with the necessary infrastructure to support their operations.
“So the investment that we make in infrastructure is all tied into the vision of tourism…” she posited.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar in brief comments said commercial operations of BA are long overdue on the Guyana-UK route.
“It has been long overdue and it is testimony of Guyana becoming a major investment destination and this is the reason we have been working to develop our existing infrastructure, especially at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to facilitate such investment opportunities,” he underscored.
Both Indar and Walrond thanked CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer, Ramesh Ghir for working tirelessly on negotiations.
Edghill pointed out that BA’s operations will not only transport passengers but open up new markets for cargo between Guyana and the Eastern Caribbean and the UK.
The aircraft has a cargo hold of 4800 cubic feet for both passenger baggage and cargo. “This will immensely benefit imports and exports, while generating economic growth and facilitating international trade,” he said.
Also at the press conference was British High Commissioner, Jane Miller who said the commitment by BA to commence operations here reflects a growing confidence by investors in Guyana for tourism and as an economic hub in Latin America. She added that BA’s addition of Guyana to its routes also indicates confidence in trade with the economy rapidly growing.
“I think this is a huge opportunity that has opened up,” Miller said, adding that trade can only expand with BA’s operation here.
She pointed out that Guyana is the UK’s largest Caribbean trade partner, representing some 20% of trade activities from the region.
British Airways will now have to apply to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority for its air service certification to ply the route.
At the start of the pandemic, British Airways operated chartered flights to ferry offshore oil and gas workers between Guyana and Europe.
Yesterday’s announcement of the airline’s return to Guyana comes approximately 40 years after it ceased operations under the British Overseas Airways Corporation.
