Roraima Airways today commissioned its third trislander aircraft to
service the tourism, mining and health industries.
A simple christening ceremony of the aircraft, held today at Roraima’s
Hanger, Ogle Airport, commemorated the new acquisition which cost the
company some US$700,000.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette
Ferguson, congratulated the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Roraima
Airways, Captain Gerald Gouveia, for the continuous improvements his
company has made in the aviation industry.
The minister added that aviation is moving apace in Guyana. Minister
Ferguson noted that Guyana’s ICAO (International Civil Aviation
Organisation) rating has moved from 44.4 per cent to 64.4 per cent.
Guyana is scheduled for another evaluation before the end of this year.
“We should be able to see us moving from that 64.4 per cent to at
least close to 80 per cent,” Minister Ferguson said.
Captain Gouveia explained the aircraft was purchased in New Zealand
and assembled in Guyana by the company’s local engineering team. The
aircraft, which boasts three engines, is suitable for short landing
strips that are found in Guyana’s hinterland.
Gouveia explained that all their aircraft are equipped with Automatic
Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), to improve safety in the
skies. The new acquisition also means more fly time, Captain Gouveia
added.
“As we add this new plane to our fleet it increases our capacity to
service the tourism sector, the mining industry, the investment
industry and so,” Captain Gouveia explained. He added that the
company is also flying more medical excavation and regional air
travel.
Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lt.
Col (Ret’d) Egbert Field, in commending Roraima Airways for utilising
local content to assemble the aircraft, said the GCAA is working to
ensure more local engineers get access to job opportunities in the
industry.
Field said steps are being taken to amend its regulations to ensure
that airlines or operators working in Guyana do not operate under a
Foreign Air Operators Certificate for too long a period, as currently
prevails.
“Within the period of between 6-12 months, they must be in a position
to apply for a local Air Operators Certificate. It gives the local
engineer, the local pilot the opportunity to gain employment within
that company,” Field said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Desmond
Sears, said the new addition to Roraima’s fleet addresses the growing
need for air services in a developing Guyana. “These flights will
enhance our physical links with the hinterland and open up new
business opportunities,” Sears said.
