B6 Interested in another Caribbean/South American Destination: GEO

At the“Guyana Means Business” investment conference in New York City last Friday, minister of tourism and communications Cathy Hughes revealed that negotiations with JetBlue and American Airlines are progressing very well, and said that JetBlue is very interested in the Guyana market.

Last year JetBlue’s vice president of network planning, David Clarke, and the minister of foreign affairs of Guyana, Carl Greenidge, held a meeting to discuss JetBlue’s interest in the Guyana market. Subsequently, talks were held with Hughes and CEO of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Ramesh Ghir.

One of JetBlue’s concerns, namely, the cost of jet fuel at CJIA has been addressed some time ago. The jet fuel monopoly at CJIA ended when the previous government was in office. There are two fuel companies now at CJIA, which has lowered the price. As well, the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has set up office in Guyana and with more technology and manpower, there seems to be some progress in intercepting drugs before they get onto North America-bound aircraft.

The modernizations and expansion of the airport has also been a selling point in attracting more airlines to Guyana. It seems certain that JetBlue will add Guyana to its network.

Hughes said that JetBlue can take up to three years to make a decision. JetBlue studies its market well and also packages its destinations, the minister said. JetBlue did not deny the ongoing negotiations but in an email a few months ago said, “There is nothing to report.”

At the investment forum there were calls for reputable, frequent and seamless connectivity to Guyana. Guyana’s economy is sound and there is adequate capital buffer, said Francisco Carneriro, a World Bank representative at the conference.

And with Guyana soon to become an oil producing country, which could triple its current gross domestic product, the aviation sector will grow.

CEO of Travelspan, Nohar Singh, said that it’s not just tourism revenue that Guyana is losing, “but that businessmen from Saudi Arabia who must travel to Guyana to seal a business deal.”

One businesswoman complained about the lack of a cold storage facility at CJIA. Some airlines servicing Guyana are notorious for delays and cancellations, which cost the business community exorbitantly. It was also revealed that the airport lacks a cargo scanner, and that the government is working to acquire one.

The extension of the runway will be completed in mid-2017, and work on the new terminal building will commence shortly, and it will address some of the shortcomings of the infrastructure at CJIA.

Both Insel and Copa Airlines have been expanding their presence in GEO . They have all doubled their frequencies due to good passenger load, Hughes said. However, Singh is urging the government of Guyana to bring back Guyana Airways, and he seems keen on a joint venture with the government of Guyana.