Georgetown: The formal launch of Dynamic Airways was welcomed by President Donald Ramotar, who described the move as another sign of strong confidence in the local economy.
Delivering the feature address to mark the occasion at Duke Lodge, Kingston, Georgetown, the President said the airline will help to also lower fares as it offers more competition in the Aviation Sector.
“I think this new venture, when it gets on stream, it will make a major contribution, not only to make it easier, but I hope we’ll get the same ease in our people moving to the different destinations that we will go to,” he said. “It will increase arrivals and improve tourism, develop agriculture and make a bigger contribution to the development of our society.”
The company’s operations will be handled locally by their agent, Roraima Airways. The new venture is something that will be good for all Guyanese, he added.
He noted that the company will boost tourism and it is his hope that is so doing, more of the “tourist dollars” would remain in Guyana to further its development unlike other nations where 80 to 90 per cent of every dollar spent leaves the country.
A call was also made for more local produce to be utilised, to stimulate more agriculture development.
Echoing the President’s words, Public Works Minister Robeson Benn described the venture as a vote of confidence in Guyana, particularly at this “precarious time of how we see ourselves as Guyanese”, both in the Parliament and outside of it.
“Perhaps we are in a situation where we think we run the risk of bringing to a halt the development opportunities, the growth that we have in our country that we want to avoid all of this as Guyanese, and we are particularly happy when a foreign operation such as this, a significant one in the air transport sector, would give us this vote of confidence,” he said.
Minister Benn added that he is looking forward to the flights, good service, sustainable optimised ticketing and seeing an enduring partnership that would help to further expand the aviation market. Mention was made of the expansion plans for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, which will all help the country to grow.
For Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, “It was another good thing for Guyana”.
The Minister said the capacity of the airline’s fleet of 767 jets will help to boost the agricultural capacity with their expansive cargo capabilities. Noting that the Caribbean imported US$5.2 billion worth of food in 2013, he said this venture will help to transport regional produce to markets further afield, and help to offset the need for imports from further afield.
Also delivering remarks, acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, said that the developments occurring are not just rhetoric.
“Copa could not be rhetoric, Copa is here, Dynamic is not rhetoric, Dynamic is here, the new airport project is not rhetoric, it is ongoing, the Marriott Hotel is not rhetoric, it is ongoing.
“Guyana is moving forward, we are moving forward regardless of which side of the political divide we may fall. This country belongs to all of us, the future belongs to all of us, and we all have a moral and ethical responsibility to leave something behind,” said Minister Ali
He further called on those gathered to recommit themselves to national patriotic development. The new airline will also help to boost the arrivals for the upcoming Guyana festival and tourism in general, the Minister added as he thanked all of the staffers and stakeholders who made the venture possible.
Dynamic Airways Chief Business Development Vice President Tom Johnson outlined the company’s plans to hire as many local staffers as possible and described the venture as a great partnership. He also thanked all of those who made the launch possible and said that it was only done due to a dynamic team.
The US-registered airline, is gearing to commence New York and Toronto-bound flights from Guyana by month-end. The airline, which offers chartered and scheduled flights across the US and other international destinations, will offer increased cargo capacity particularly for produce, and is the latest to come on board the Guyana route, to capitalise on the busy peak summer season.
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