(Demerara Waves) LIAT (1974) Limited would have to show that it would be feasible to serve the Guyana route before fresh approval is granted to fly to this southern Caribbean Community (CARICOM) mainland nation, but would not be blocked to protect InterCaribbean Airways, Aviation Minister Juan Edghill said Friday.
“No, no, no, no! There is no exclusivity here for anybody…We like competition so I said whether it’s InterCaribbean or another airline, there is no negotiated exclusivity or we’re not holding the turf for anyone. We are seeking to provide adequate service to the people of Guyana,” he said when asked by Demerara Waves Online News/ News-Talk Radio Guyana 103.1 FM.
He assured that proof of sustainability was not being used to protect InterCaribbean Airways from competition. “Passengers don’t want to be buying tickets and then they are left with a stub in their hand and they are left with a stub in their hand and no carrier to carry them back or bring them in,” he added.
InterCaribbean begins 12 weekly round trips between Guyana and Barbados from December 17.
Deputy Director-General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Saeed Suliman also said that the Antigua-based carrier would have to discuss how it would first settle its debts. He and Mr. Edghill said LIAT had written in June, 2021 requesting permission to resume flights to Guyana. Noting that that carrier was under administration, it would have to present a business plan and “they haven’t done that.”
