GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Guyana has told the Turks and Caicos-based InterCaribbean Airways that it could face sanctions if the carrier does not avoid prolonged flight delays and cancellations.
(Photo courtesy of InterCaribbean Airways)Aviation Minister, Juan Edghill said senior government officials as well as representatives of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), met with representatives of the airline last week to address repeated concerns by travelers and that the airline has indicated that there were issues with crew and other internal matters.
He said among the commitments given to local authorities include better handling in Barbados and additional aircraft to address the delays.
“If they don’s t fulfill those obligations that they made last week Thursday, we will have to step in and take additional actions or possible sanctions,” Edghill he told Demerara Waves Online News.
Edghill said since last week’s meeting with InterCaribbean, he has not yet received any feedback from passengers insisting nonetheless that “InterCaribbean came to Guyana advocating a particular service. We expect them to provide that service.
“The airlines cannot just make money and people suffer. They have to be able to have the social contract with the passengers fulfilled. That was strongly communicated, and we expect the change but if that does not happen, we have to go to the next level,” he said.
Edghill said that while he “don’t want to go there right now” regarding the possibility of suspending the Guyana routes for the carrier, the government is keen on having seats for the travelling public and “we want a better service.
“While we’re reaching out for better service, we will not allow Guyanese to be short-changed,” he said, adding that on the issue of compensation to affected passengers, the IATA policy states that refunds could become available in about 14 days after requests are made to the travel agent.
Guyana’s Honorary Consul to Antigua and Barbuda, Robert Reis issued a statement protesting the shabby treatment being meted out to Guyanese travelling from Montserrat, Antigua, British Virgin Islands and other destinations to Guyana.
InterCaribbean began commercial flights to Guyana in December, 2021.
