The Guyana Government has once again called out American Airlines over its refusal to grant VIP treatment to high-ranking officials travelling with the carrier from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in Timehri.
This recent expression of disappointment comes on the heels of the airline’s treatment of two Caribbean Heads of State, who were leaving Guyana after an official visit for the opening of the International Energy Conference on Tuesday.

According to a statement from the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry in Georgetown on Wednesday, the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, and the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, had to face inconvenience on their departure from the CJIA earlier on Wednesday.
It was explained that all Government protocols were put in place to facilitate their departure, but they were not facilitated by the United States-based airline.
“Despite American Airlines having been written to prior to the arrival of the Prime Ministers in Guyana, for them to be accorded the courtesies of check-in on departure from the VIP Lounge [at the CJIA], the airline refused to acquiesce to the Ministry’s request and insisted that the Prime Ministers leave the Lounge to present themselves to the check-in counter,” the missive detailed.
As a consequence of this incident, the Foreign Affairs Ministry indicated that Government intended to “formally communicate its displeasure of this most recent action by the airline that has caused embarrassment not only nationally, but also to our regional friends”.
Moreover, the Guyana Government pointed out that it had previously protested this position taken by American Airlines against its own high and senior Government officials. But, according to the Foreign Ministry, the airline has continued to “pay scant regard” to the Government’s requests for entitlements to the positions held to be respected.
