Eastern Airlines to facilitate repatriation flights in September, October

Several repatriation flights have been scheduled within the months of September and October to facilitate the return of Guyanese who are still waiting overseas to come home.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill noted during a recent press conference that these chartered flights will be performed through US-based Eastern Airlines.
As Guyana’s international airports remain closed to keep the COVID-19 situation under control, all incoming flights will arrive at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
“We have been able to resolve the issue of late or delayed flight approvals, so Guyanese could know way ahead of time, in the absence of continuous commercial operation, when flights are available, inbound and outbound. Flights have been approved for the months of September and October by Eastern Airlines. These will be charter flights for September and October,” the Minister informed.
Flights are scheduled to arrive in Guyana from the Miami International Airport on September 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29; and on October 6, 13, 20 and 27. Those from the John F Kennedy Airport will be facilitated on September 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30; and on October 7, 14, 21 and 28. On all the dates mentioned, flights will be leaving Guyana to return either to Miami or New York.
There are two other flights which are slated for August 25 from Miami and August 26 from New York.
In order to be accepted on a flight to Guyana, the electronic Repatriation Form available via GCAA’s website must be completed. Additionally, a molecular biological PCR test for COVID-19 must be completed and sent to officials within the prescribed timeframe.
Apart from the repatriation flights, only cargo, medevacs, special authorised flights, and technical stops for fuel only are permitted at this time. Officials are working to have a phased reopening of the sector, since during the months of closure, the CJIA has already lost over $1 billion in revenue.
On August 1, the phased reopening of the Cheddi Jagan and Eugene F Correia International airports was deferred until further notice due to the spike in COVID-19 cases. The National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) had stated that the airport would remain closed to all international flights except for outgoing flights, cargo flights, medical evacuation flights, technical stops for fuel only, and special authorised flights. Reopening was again postponed on August 15 due to the rise in positive coronavirus cases.
The country’s borders and airports were closed on March 17 to bar the importation of positive COVID-19 cases, which has crippled flights.
Meanwhile, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Colonel (ret’d) Egbert Field, has said the deferral is critical to ensure that the country’s health is protected. (G12)