American Airlines will boost Guyana’s tourism – GCAA Director

…as inaugural flight lands at CJIA

American Airlines commenced operations in Guyana with its first flight on Friday morning, and it has sparked sentiments that air transport will improve in the region.
With strengthening the country’s connectivity to several destinations, an inauguration ceremony was held at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in the company of Acting Prime Minister Carl Greenidge; American Airlines Managing Director of Regulatory and International Affairs, Robert Wirick; Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Egbert Field; Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson and United States Ambassador to

Guyana, Perry Holloway.
During his remarks, the Director General of the GCAA noted that the carrier would advance Guyana’s tourism industry and increase the flight count to North America. For him, bridging those gaps is essential for the country and its economy.
“We welcome them, because the kind of connection they bring to Guyana would surely enhance not only tourism but also trade in Guyana…The connectivity is needed in Guyana. We certainly know that the ridership will increase, and the uplift out of Guyana will certainly welcome the increased flights out of North America,” Field said.
Meanwhile, Acting Prime Minister Carl Greenidge noted that development of the country’s air services is looming. He is of the belief that the quality of services will improve as trade progresses.
“This occasion itself symbolises the importance attached by both Guyana and the United States of America to the integration of our peoples and economies through the improvement of air transport linkages. We view the presence of one of the largest US airline companies as a very positive step towards the development of air services in Guyana, services that are currently lacking and services which are

importantly requisite,” Greenidge ascertained.
Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson used her platform to relate that the operation of this carrier is “good news” for the aviation sector. Ferguson is optimistic that there will be a new record for the total international passenger traffic this year.
“American Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world, with well over 1000 aircraft in their fleet, with over 6000 daily flights serving over 350 destinations worldwide in over 55 countries. To have them operating here in Guyana four times per week is good news for the aviation sector, and by extension the economy,” Ferguson said.
She continued, “Last year, the total international passenger traffic to Guyana was 664,624: the highest passenger movement in the history of Guyana. I am confident that that number will increase even more in 2018 with the arrival of American Airlines,” she said.
On behalf of the company, Managing Director of Regulatory and International Affairs, Robert Wirick, stated it is the airline’s 19th destination in South America.
“We have become the only US carrier to offer service to and from the country…We hope to strengthen our presence in the country for many years to come. We’re committed to this market,” Robert Wirick said.
United States Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway, also shared similar sentiments, as he cited improved relations between the two countries.