…Guyana 64% compliant with ICAO
An up thrust in Guyana’s aviation sector is imminent as the country is expecting to achieve a projected 80 per cent reward for its compliance to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. 
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo made this announcement on Wednesday during opening of the Air Transport Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Center.
He explained that Guyana made a 20 per cent improvement and currently stands at 64 per cent and this is evidence that the aviation sector is moving in the right direction.
“Our aviation sector is moving in the right direction. We are grateful for the commendation of ICAO and it is growing. Our compliance with ICAO standards and recommended practices increased from 44 per cent to 64 percent with projection to reach at least 80 per cent by the end of this year,” said Nagamootoo.
The prime minister asserted that the sector has connected local communities and evidently, in the international arena.
“Aviation is the primary channel to connect internationally but…aviation is vital to connect our coastland with riverine and hinterland communities.”
Themed “Promoting Connectivity for Sustainable Air Transport Development”, President of ICOA, Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, also emphasised the importance of achieving ICAO standards. According to him, countries will be able to obtain credibility and trust from their clients.
“Aviation represents an essential lifeline for regional and global trade. States must not only continue to improve compliance with ICAO’s global standards but also foster and operate in an environment which the industry can enjoy dependable and sustainable profitability,” Aliu said.
He added, “such efforts should include the liberalization and modernization of the regulatory framework for the international air transport…Policy should be designed to accommodate modernization, harmonization and possibility of convergence of regulatory approaches and regimes of states.”
Meanwhile, Director-General of the GCAA, Egbert Field made his remarks as he stated that aviation is linked to tourism. In most countries within the Caribbean region, tourism is the key source that sustains economies.
“This ICAO meeting is truly a historic period for this country. The theme: Promoting Connectivity for Sustainable Air Transport Development couldn’t have come at a better time particularly when small developing countries in the Caribbean which depend a lot on tourism is experiencing is experiencing a decline in ridership of passengers. This ICAO conference is hosted at a time when airlift in and out of Guyana is on the rise.”
Fields referred to the blooming oil sector and posited that actions will continue to ensure that air transport improves in Guyana.
“This expanded aviation sector will see an increase in airlift in and out of Guyana with the entrance of new operators and carriers in this market even as we produce first oil in early 2020,” said Fields.
“It is therefore imperative that for us as a region to remove ourselves from the rigid regulatory impediments that hinder our development as a region and foster ideas towards harmonizing our regulations, putting together developments for our aviation sector…Guyana is on the rise,” he further said.
It was only on Monday, that the Opposition’s – Peoples Progressive Party- efforts to have the Civil Aviation Bill 2017 resent to a select committee were defeated by the Government in the National Assembly. The Bill was passed with amendments.
PPP’s Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, pointed out that said that based on her research, the bill is deficient. She added that the bill is not on par with what may be expected by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). According to Teixeira, the Bill was being rushed because of the Air Transport Conference Guyana is hosting.
This Air Transport Meeting would also address issues such as harmonising the regional air transport regulatory framework as well as the liberalisation of air cargo through regional and global approaches.
