Fly Jamaica yet to file application with GCAA

It has been one week since new investors announced their move to take over the Fly Jamaica airline, however, an application is yet to be filed at the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), even as the new owners seek to recommence flights from Guyana by September.
Director General of the GCAA, Egbert Field in an interview with this newspaper on Monday said the airline is nonetheless still likely to start its operations next month.
“It may be possible depending on the magnitude of the work, if there are many changes to their former operation. So I would be unable to say or give you a definitive answer until I see what is produced and if their operations have changed,” he explained.
When it comes to the airline’s bond, Field was keen to note that this must be put in place before operations begin, especially since Fly Jamaica, under its previous owners, did not have one when it pulled out of the market.
“The bond will [have to] be set before the operations. As a new carrier returning to the market, we will have to start all over again so a new bond will be put in place,” the GCAA Head noted.
Last Tuesday, following the airline’s announcement to reenter the market, Field told this publication that Fly Jamaica would be required to refile an application seeking approval to do so.
He had explained that the airline must be granted approval first from the Jamaica Aviation Authority, then file its application with Guyana.
“If they are certified and approved by the Jamaican, because it is a Jamaican-based airline not a Guyanese-based, so providing that Jamaica approved the application then they will give them the necessary permits, they will have to use that to reapply to the Civil Aviation Authority of Guyana so they will have to make an entire new application and go through the entire process for approval from Guyana also,” the Director General stated.
On July 29, it was reported that a team of investors including Jamaican aviation veteran, Glenn Logan, led by Yann LeProvost of the French-based company W&Y SAS has taken over the problem-plagued airline.
The new owners took over on July 26 from Guyanese operators, Paul and Roxanne Reece. They have since pledged their commitment to addressing the issues affecting the airline, such as owed salaries to workers and compensation for tickets.
Fly Jamaica became crippled following a November 9 crash last year. The Boeing 757 flight destined for Toronto, Canada crash-landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at Timehri, East Bank Demerara, after encountering hydraulic issues.
It was reported that the flight took off around 02:10h but later returned to the airport where the aircraft crash-landed at about 02:53h.
The cash-strapped airline has since made all its workers redundant, effective from March 1, 2019. Most of the fired former employees are still awaiting their salaries as well.
Fuming passengers too are still awaiting refunds from tickets that were booked.
In May some 46 complaints were received by the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission which value about $8,316,504. However last month, the agency said over 100 complaints were filed.