Regional airline REDjet, the Caribbean’s first low cost airline, yesterday conducted a “proving flight” at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri as it moves closer to setting up operations here.
A DC-9 aircraft operated by the company touched down at Timehri shortly after 1 pm yesterday, where the flight was observed by aviation officials, including aviation inspectors.
Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Zulficar Mohammed told Stabroek News yesterday that the airline had been granted approval by the GCAA to operate to these shores from Barbados.
He said that yesterday’s operation was conducted to test its capability in terms of fuel efficiency and mechanical operation, among other factors. Mohammed noted that if all plans materialise, the airline would be operating to Guyana within the next two months.
He said that REDjet is currently awaiting approval in the form of an Air Operators Certificate (AOC) from Barbados before it can operate out of that country.
Ian Burns, Chairman of parent company Airone, said at the launching of the airline last October in Barbados that REDjet will give consumers more options and will solve the connectivity difficulties of the Caribbean. Air fare costs he said will be reduced by more than 60%.
All flights on any REDjet route will start at US$9.99 (before tax)—a cost the company believes will encourage island hopping and give a major boost to the declining intra-regional tourism.
