Delta Airlines is currently in Guyana assessing the market with a view of commencing operations here in July, Minister of Public Works & Communications, Robeson Benn said yesterday while noting that high fuel costs may also cause Travel Span to suspend service.

He said American Airlines, another US airline, is showing interest and referred to it as a development, given that North American Airlines will cease scheduled flights to Guyana in a few months.

Benn told reporters that the high fuel cost that is forcing North American out of the local market is a critical issue. The minister said he received word that local operator Travel Span may also suspend operations because of the fuel problem. Travel Span officials could not be contacted yesterday.

On Tuesday North American announced in a press release that the scheduled service to Georgetown, Lagos, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana will cease on May 20 this year.

Delta Airlines has already received US approval for its service here. To celebrate the new service, Delta is offering a one-way special fare of US$279 from New York to Georgetown based on a round-trip purchase by March 14 this year for travel completed by December 12 this year. The special fare is subject to additional taxes and fees.

Once approved the service will run four times each week: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Delta will depart New York and land here at 6.40 am. On the same day the flight will leave at 10.05 am and arrive in New York at 4.20 pm.