An Air Services Agreement inked between Guyana and China on Thursday will pave the way for the establishment of direct flights between the two countries.
The agreement, signed by Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Guo Haiyan at the ministry’s Wight’s Lane office in Georgetown, establishes that civil aviation authorities in both countries will be engaged to facilitate an exchange of information and services to support the operation of direct scheduled air services.
“The signing of this agreement reflects the government’s commitment to connecting Guyana to the rest of the world,” Minister Edghill said.
“The reality is that there are no direct flights between the two countries to date. The signature of this agreement puts the legal framework in place to address this challenge.”
It is anticipated that airlines between the two countries will capitalise on the opportunities that exist within the signed agreement.
“This agreement complements the more than 50 air services agreement Guyana has established with other (International Civil Aviation Oganisations) subscribing states for the developing of airlink amongst ourselves,” Minister Edghill stated.
According to Ambassador Haiyan, the agreement inked on Thursday came after years of negotiations.
“The geographical distance cannot stand in the way of the deep friendship between Guyana and China. The two sides have been exploring the possibilities of civil aviation cooperation for years. In 2014, civil aviation authorities of the two countries signed MoUs in Indonesia,” the Ambassador stated.
Meanwhile, Minister Edghill revealed that annually, there is significant passenger and cargo traffic between Guyana and China.
“In essence this will allow access to an open market for airlines to operate and advance air transport services, trade and economic growth between the two countries,” Edghill said.
He explained that the agreement addresses matters such as grant of rights, airline designation and authorisation, revocation, suspension of authorisation or imposition of conditions, capacity and frequency provisions, recognition of certificates and licenses, aviation safety and security and tariffs among other matters.
Guyana also anticipates that the agreement will pave the way for the reciprocal promotion of tourism, as well as the exchange of culture.
“My challenge to [Ambassador Haiyan] is to invite China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and Air China among the others that you have there to look into flying the Guyana-China route,” Minister Edghill told the Chinese Ambassador.
At the ceremony, Edghill and Ambassador Haiyan resolved to continue working on strengthening bilateral relations and explore other areas of trade and investment opportunities.
