The Government of Guyana is in discussions with Star Alliance network member and Africa’s largest airline, Ethiopian Airlines, to commence plying the Guyana route.
This was disclosed by Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill during a recent interview with the News Room at his Wight’s Lane, Kingston, Georgetown office.
Edghill said that he is set to have a meeting with the airline sometime this month; he said Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States, Samuel Hinds has already started engagements with the carrier.
Ethiopian Airlines copped the ‘Best Airlines in Africa’ award for five years in a row by Skytrax World Airlines Awards.
The carrier also copped the Best Business and Economy Class Airline in Africa for four years in a row and the Best Business Class Onboard Catering in Africa in 2022.
The airline has a fleet of more than 144 modern aircraft with an average fleet age of five years and serves 131 international passenger and cargo destinations, including 63 African cities.
Edghill noted that a number of international carriers have expressed interest in flying the Guyana route.
He reminded that the government has signed air services agreements with Ghana, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Canada; and is pursuing carriers from all of these destinations.
“Guyana is becoming now a name and a destination that people want to go to and anybody who is in business is looking at how they can cash in on Guyana,” Edghill said.
He noted that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government is interested in facilitating business but consumers’ safety and adherence to regulations are paramount.
“Once you come, you got to ensure rules are met, the regulations are followed, safety is guaranteed, your investment is secured and of course the Guyanese travelling public and those who will put their money to put tickets and so on are taken care of,” he said.
In August 2022, the government announced that the United Kingdom’s flag carrier, British Airways, is expected to commence flights to Guyana’s Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on March 23, 2023.
Meanwhile, in November 2021 regional airline, interCaribbean Airways, entered the Guyana market offering flights to some 27 destinations within the Caribbean.
