Guyana pushes for increased airlift ahead of oil

– at CAHA AGM

Ahead of the emerging oil and gas industry, the local aviation sector is pushing to expand airlift operations. This was highlighted at a special meeting of the Caribbean Aviation Handlers Association (CAHA) that was held in Miami, Florida, last Friday.
Among the decisions taken at the meeting held at the Hyatt House was for the Barbados-headquartered association to hold its next AGM in May 2018 in Guyana.

The meeting was attended by representatives of aviation handling companies from Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Haiti, the United States Virgin Islands and Grenada, along with representatives of several companies that supply equipment and related services to airport handlers.
Guyana was represented by Roraima Airways Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Captain Gerry Gouveia, who delivered a presentation on his company’s aviation handling and related services and updated participants on developments in the aviation sector in Guyana. He referred to the need for increased airlift to and from Guyana as the country prepared to become a major oil-producing nation in 2020.
Captain Gouveia also spoke of the improvements currently being undertaken at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in Guyana and the links created with neighbouring Brazil through the bridging of the river that separates the two countries and the soon-to-be upgraded roadway linking northern Brazil with Guyana’s capital, Georgetown.
In welcoming the decision to hold CAHA’s next AGM in Guyana, Gouveia told participants that they would be visiting a country, whose economy was in transition and whose “attractions include the famous Kaieteur Falls among other breathtaking scenery”. “During your stay in Guyana, you must put aside time to explore Guyana and enjoy our great hospitality,” he added.
The agenda for next year’s meeting will include follow-up discussions on the impact of and preparation for natural disasters; highlights of the Association’s emergency response manual; aviation security; and updates on developments taking place within the industry.
The Association’s 2017 AGM was held in May in Orlando, Florida.