President Donald Ramotar (C) taking part in the ceremonial ribbon-cutting of the OAI expansion phase, in the presence of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds (L); Opposition Leader David Granger (R); OAI CEO Michael Correia (2ndL) and BK International CEO Brian Tiwari (2L)
President Donald Ramotar at the launch of the Ogle International Airport Inc (OAI) Expansion Phase Two project on Wednesday called on the board of directors to look at some of the issues concerning competition in the local air transport sector.
The president believes that the OAI has opened up the interior not only to tourists, but to increased economic activities. While noting that the expansion project is a successful model of private sector and government partnership, the president urged management to safeguard themselves through improved regulation, especially in relation to fostering safety, free competition, and access.
President Ramotar noted that while the OAI continues to see growth in the number of cargo flights, there is need for the airport to attract more people.
Government, he stated, will continue to monitor the competition provided by all OAI operators, while ensuring that people using the services are satisfied. On that note, the president pointed to the fact that it is cheaper generally to travel to Trinidad and Tobago than the Kaieteur Falls. He acknowledged that circumstances may prevented OAI from offering cheaper flights, but urged management, nevertheless, to review its fare structure.
“I wish to see all the operators becoming more competitive and to appreciate the fact that with more affordable fares will come with increased business and greater public confidence and support,” the president stated.
However, in underscoring the importance of the aviation sector to Guyana’s future development, the head of stated said the completion of the runway forms part of a progressive plan to develop OAI into a major municipal aerodrome, both for local and regional flights. He stated that the expansion of the OAI operation is not intended to undermine development at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), but is part of a wider plan to improve and develop the entire aviation sector in Guyana.
“Not only is the domestic aviation sector facilitating the increased movement of persons within our country, but it is a key player in ensuring that the wheels of the hinterland community, particularly in the gold and diamond sectors, are lubricated,” he said. Another important area sustaining to the aviation sector, the president said, is tourism. This will require the need for larger aircraft and improved services.
Hub for interior flights
President Ramotar pointed out that the OAI has become a hub for interior flights, allowing miners to easily travel to various locations. He admitted that without this service, many of the far flung areas would be inaccessible and communities there would found itself isolated from the coastland and further progress.
Head of the European Commission Delegation to Guyana, Ambassador Robert Kopecky in his address, expressed satisfaction with the completion of the expansion project. This project, he noted, was made possible through the EDF Caribbean Regional Programme, signed in 2007.
The EU diplomat urged OAI staff to ensure further development of the aerodrome, acknowledging that the finances to do this would exceed the EDF contributions. On that note, Kopecky urged the private sector to invest in the aerodrome, to benefit both businesses and people.
He believes that there is a continued need for support to the airport to ensure that larger planes use the OAI by the end of this year, given the framework for funding the project: improving regional integration. Kopecky explained that Suriname Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Lackin has informed him of his vision to improve the airport in Nickerie, to connect with the Ogle International Airport in Guyana.
“This is exactly what we need airports like Ogle for. Connect the friend and ally countries throughout the Caribbean among themselves. To connect the Caribbean with Georgetown, which has the institutional preconditions to become the Brussels of the Caribbean in the sense of being the bustling heart of the regional integration,” he said. In closing, the European diplomat pointed out that there will be some obstacles to achieving full operation, and urged government and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority to work toward having this completed soon.
Meanwhile, OAI Chief Executive Officer Michael Correia Junior said he believed that the project was severely underestimated in terms of time and difficulty, however, all Guyanese will now have a feeling of great pride when they fly out of Ogle. The airport’s runway now meets international standards and is a 4200×100 2C Regional Runway.
Correia revealed that the additional works are expected to be completed in December this year and by this time, LIAT aircraft will be accommodated at the airport. Reflecting on the success made so far, since the establishment of the airport, Correia stated that OAI was made possible through former Works Minister Tony Xavier and former President Janet Jagan.
The CEO said Ogle is one of the busiest airports in the region with approximately 100 flights daily, moving more than 200 passengers and 15 tons of cargo. The airport presently has 10 scheduled international flights to Suriname, and is playing an important role in fostering trade and developing closer relationships with that country.
The airport is also providing similar services to Brazil and presently has 24 scheduled flights to Lethem, which connects Guyana by road to the Brazilian states of Roraima and Amazonia. “This process of development will grow as larger aircraft commence operations out of Ogle,” Correia said. The completion of the runway in itself, he explained, does not mean the completion of the certification of phase two. It will cost the OAI $4 million to complete the additional works which includes the installation of runway lights, terminal enhancements, parking aprons, taxiways, fencing, and drainage, among others.