The high cost of fuel is forcing North American Airlines to cease scheduled flights to Guyana and some other destinations, the company says.
In a press release yesterday, the company stated that the scheduled service to Georgetown, Lagos, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana will cease on May 20 this year.
Stating that the airline has a long history of serving the Guyana-New York market and was the first US airline in decades to fly non-stop service from the US to sub-Saharan Africa, Chief Commercial and Planning Officer, Rob Binns was also quoted as saying “We have been pleased that all of these markets have performed on a revenue basis as we anticipated. What now makes these markets untenable is the rising cost of fuel”. Binns stated that since entering the African markets in 2005, the airline has seen jet fuel costs rise 60 percent.
In light of the continuing support received from the governments and travelling public in the airline’s African markets, the decision has been difficult, Binns said, noting also the “excellent customer response to our non-stop service between Georgetown and John F. Kennedy International Airport since its inception in 1999”.
The release said that customers booked on discontinued North American flights will receive a refund for the unused portion of their reservation or may opt to travel on an earlier date. It stated that for questions and refunds, the airline can be contacted on telephone numbers 1 800 359 6222 or in Georgetown 227 5805 while additional information can also be found on http://www.flynaa.com/.
