Caribbean Airlines (CAL) Ltd is linking Guyana and Suriname with direct flights from the Eugene F Correia International Airport (Ogle Airport) to Paramaribo, Suriname, for the first time and an inauguration ceremony was held today.
Flights will operate twice weekly on Sundays and Fridays.
A formal ceremony was held today at the Ogle Airport, the Department of Public Information (DPI) said.
Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill said that the government’s hard work to promote Guyana as a premium tourism destination over the last four years is paying off.
“This shows that we’re not just talking and engaging, but people are believing, trusting us, and they’re making the necessary investments. Over the last four years, you would have seen how many new airlines we would have brought on board,” he stated.
The minister said these direct flights will complement similar initiatives to link the two countries, such as the planned bridge across the Corentyne River, DPI said. The final phase of planning for this project is underway.
“We want to ensure that tourists coming from the Netherlands and all the other places that land at Suriname must have an opportunity to also experience Guyana seamlessly. We must be able to ensure that the tourists who come to Guyana from North America, Europe, and other parts experience Suriname seamlessly. And for us to be able to do that, we must provide a link that is reliable,” the minister said.
He also linked this new development to the construction of the Ogle to Eccles four-lane highway, underscoring that the aim is to position Guyana as a hub for connectivity.
Edghill commended CAL for its role in fortifying the relationship between Guyana and Suriname.
“Our platform of dialogue between Guyana and Suriname is very pronounced, it’s very aggressive. We still have outstanding items to tick the boxes as completed, and we hope to get those boxes ticked so that both Suriname and Guyana would be proud of the engagement that we’re having,” he added.
Caribbean Airlines Country Manager for Guyana and Suriname, Renatha Marshall reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to Guyana and its people.
This new route will be served by the airline’s ATR 72-600 aircraft.
On Sundays, Flight BW 383 will depart Ogle, Guyana at 9:55 AM and arrive in Suriname at 12:05 PM. The return flight, BW 384, will depart Suriname at 12:50 PM (Suriname time) and arrive in Ogle at 1:00 PM. On Fridays, Flight BW 383 will depart Ogle, Guyana at 10:45 AM and arrive in Suriname at 12:55 PM. The return flight, BW 384, will depart Suriname at 1:50 PM (Suriname time) and arrive in Ogle at 2:00 PM, DPI said.