An international audit on aviation is expected to be conducted into the operations of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA). Soon to be appointed Director General, Egbert Field, made this revelation at the welcoming ceremony of the inaugural flight of Fly AllWays airline at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on Tuesday.
New Director of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, retired Colonel Egbert Field
His comments came on the heels that most air carriers operating out of Guyana are unable to land at airports in North America due to the lack of international Category One aviation status. On this note, Field told reporters that immediately upon him taking office, one of the priorities will be to raise the country’s level of compliance in line with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
“No airline that is registered and based in Guyana has the ability to go to airports North America because we are in Category Two,” he noted.
It was explained that ICAO representatives will soon be in Guyana to carry out an assessment after which it is hoped that the country can move from a Category Two status to Category One.
“After the audit, depending on our level of compliance, we may have some corrective actions to do but I can see us moving toward Category One [which] we will gain from the FAA (Federal Aviation Authority)… gaining Category One will allow airlines starting up and basing themselves in Guyana will have the opportunity to fly to North America,” the new GCAA Director noted.
With his 40 years of experience in the aviation sector, including some 30 years as a Guyana Airways pilot and later a stint in Jamaica’s Aviation Authority, Field posited that this has made him suitable to lead the country’s aviation sector.
“I’m a retired Colonel, also a captain… with over 30 years experience flying – over 18,000 hours, I know what I can do for this industry and we may have a return to Guyana Airways in the future,” Field expressed.
The retired military officer shared the view that Guyana achieving the improved aviation status is especially timely since he believes that air traffic will increase once the oil sector takes off.
Established in March 2002, The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority is guided by Civil Aviation Act (2000) which governs navigation, licensing and security regulations for air transport services in Guyana.
