(View Video Coverage)
The upbeat Carifesta theme song danced to by the Carifesta Logo dancers created a festive atmosphere for passengers and crew of the first Delta Flight to arrive at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri yesterday morning.
Delta is the first major American carrier to come to Guyana since 1970, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad, said. He added that other American carriers will be coming to Guyana soon; however, he indicated that he is not at liberty to name them.
According to the Minister, Delta will be flying from John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport, New York to CJIA, Guyana and back to JFK three times weekly: Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Delta arrived at the CJIA yesterday morning at approximately 7 am with 181 passengers on board and departed at 9.30 am with 185.
Raquel Chandluer, Delta’s District Sales Manager for Guyana, Trinidad, St. Lucia and Barbados, explained that the company is presently expanding into South America. The decision to fly here was made over one year ago. Delta, Chandluer added, will be travelling non-stop between Guyana and various destinations.
“This is hassle free travel.” Minister Prashad said. The reception for Delta was organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce. “We’ve been upbeat and we’re happy to have them here,” the minister said of Delta. He explained that the Delta merger took over one year of negotiations to happen and more surprises are to be expected.
Delta has chosen to come to Guyana because they have seen in us what the ministry has been seeing all along, Prashad said. Delta will create employment and use local services, the minister responded when asked about what benefits the new air carrier will provide to Guyana.
The North America-based airline offers flights to 481 destinations in 105 countries; its recent decision to come here is a part of the company’s drive to expand further into the Caribbean and South America. Delta, in an attempt to address the rising cost of fuel and increase its international presence, recently merged with Northwest Airlines forming the world’s largest carrier.
Flights from Georgetown to New York recently underwent a transformation. One of the longstanding carriers North American Airlines (NAA) pulled out citing high fuel prices.
Another operator, TravelSpan suspended flights and is to resume flights this month operated by NAA.
Nice to see Delta’s inaugural flight from JFK to GEO was successful.
Hopefully, thing will get better for the traveller.
Kudos to Delta!
Great to read that Delta’s inaugural flight went smoothly.
Delta is a great airline, hope to see them around for many, many moons!
Bravo!!!
Hope the baggage handlers, immigration officers and whoever else plays an important part at the airport are honest. We wouldn’t want Delta to be disgusted when or if drugs are found on their aircraft. Hopefully other major airlines will get on board, thus forcing the price to travel in and out of Guyana downwards.
Hi I am happy for Guyana but the thing is they want to bring all these airlines to Guyana like for example airtransat used to work from Canada to Guyana what happen to them? We need Canada flights, we have too much NY flights …and the thing is our airport in no good they need to extend the runway bigger then they gonna have more companies
Well, there is Zoom Airlines that fly from Toronto to Georgetown. Recently there was an article in the news of Skyservice will soon commence operations from Toronto. I am not sure what soon means. Your guess is as good as mine.
Three years ago SN reported that Air Canada was to start operations in July 2005. However, I presume that Air Canada backed out. Not sure why. Perhpas SN can do a follow up on why Air Canada won’t fly to Guyana.
Impressive to see the government negotiating and permitting reputable airlines like Delta to fly into Guyana, and a BIG thanks to Delta for adding Guyana as another member to their family.
We haven’t had an airline like Delta since Pan Am and BOAC stopped flying in the 70’s. I hope that they (Delta Airlines) find it lucrative to continue servicing Guyana despite high fuel prices. I also hope that Delta installs a security system to avert the exportation of drugs from Guyana, something which has plagued every airline. This addition and granting of Delta (and soon other airlines) permission should guarantee lower fares and as such, more visitors to our country. Congrats Guyana, Congrats Delta Airlines.
Welcome, Delta, to our world! Warmest embrace!
Please give overseas Guyanese a much better price than “those other guys” did, and we can promise you, we can travel many happy, yearly journeys to our beloved homeland! And try to advertise Guyana as a destination “over here” some. We are always ready to show off our beautiful country!
May you make lots and lots of money!
This is great news, now I can book my flight online, in advance, and actually get my frequent flyer miles redeemed, unlike with North American Airlines, and Caribbean Airlines.
Great news for the travelling public.
Now if only we could convince American Airlines to join them and get some competition going, and of course lower fares. I know, I know, with the costs of fuel that may not be possible.
I am sure Canadians would love to see Air Canada coming to Guyana also.
I hope the security situation will finally be stablized and tourists can feel comfortable about coming to Guyana.
There is a frequently flyer program at Caribbean Airlines. Customers can sign up on their website for the program.
After a few trips to the Caribbean and Guyana you can redeem your miles. You only need 10,000 miles to upgrade from economy to business. That’s a bargain when compared to other airlines plying the Caribbean.
I recalled the articles in the news three years ago of Air Canada’s intentions to fly to Guyana beginning July 2005, using the Airbus319. However, the flight never got off the ground. Yes, SN should do a follow up on this story.
I am happy to see Delta airways plying Guyana. I hope they will give Caribbean Airlines a run now since Caribbean Airlines doesn’t treat the Guyana flying public nice.
Congratulations to Delta – Another giant leap for Guyana…
Now, we desperately need DIRECT flights from Toronto…Zoom-Caribbean Airlines is not adequate enough and they offer no monopoly, resulting in a high fare structure to Guyana.
Maybe Delta or American Airlines should try seek approval to fly from Canada-Guyana.
Nevertheless, the more airlines into Guyana – The less monopoly.
All the ebullience shall soon evaporate.
We are a country embracing international tourism, when we can barely address the security and social ills of our people.
Just glamour, no substance.
By the way, isn’t Delta downsizing in the US?
I am aware, I am a member with Caribbean Airlines for many years now, but there is difficulty redeeming my miles. I usually just upgrade, but, now the service is so profit oriented, it is difficult. Black out dates, rude staff. In addition, I much prefer the direct flight.
I had about 4-5 free flights with North American, and they never honored them, even down to the end, they made all types of excuses to get out of giving me the free flights. Their staff in Guyana was excellent, the problem was the staff in New York.
I hope Air Canada starts flying to Guyana, it would be such a plus.
The only scheduled airline to fly from Canada to Guyana is Caribbean Airlines, but this is via Port of Spain. The transit in Port of Spain is really an inconvience and adds extra time and fatigue to the journey. Zoom, and if Skyservice comes on board are charter services. Many of us are weary of these charter services.
Many from this side of the diaspora were elated when they heard the news of Air Canada starting operations to Guyana 3 years ago. Their hopes were dashed when no further news or information was available. It’s as if this story was never reported. Nothing further, zero, nada.
I also hope that Air Canada will start flying there soon.