On 20th anniversary…Roraima Airways unveils US$12M investment

Roraima Airways plans to invest some US$10M in hangars, aircraft maintenance facilities and equipment as the company intends to increase its fleet of aircraft.

An additional US$2M will also be spent to expand the ground handling lounge at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri to coincide with government’s US$140M airport expansion project.

President Donald Ramotar (right) shakes hands with Roraima Airways owner Captain Gerry Gouveia in the presence of his wife Debbie during the 20th anniversary celebration of the airline. (GINA photo)

The company’s future investment plans were announced by its Chief Executive Officer, Captain Gerry Gouveia at a cocktail reception held at the Duke Lodge on Wednesday evening for the final in a series of events to mark its 20th Anniversary.

Attendees at the reception included President Donald Ramotar, members of the diplomatic community, ministers of government and members of the opposition.

Gouveia stated that plans are underway for the construction of a Roraima-branded hotel in close proximity to the CJIA. “2014 is the year we will construct the Roraima-branded hotel in close proximity to our new modern spanking airport”, he declared.

To the Duke Lodge hotel, 30 new rooms will be added and will be geared to compete with the Marriott Hotel now under construction. “We at Roraima have a vision of better times ahead… We plan to improve and expand our fleet…We are preparing for the Marriott.

We are preparing to meet the challenge of the Marriott with high quality rooms and high quality service that is highly personalized and I am looking forward to the challenge from the Marriott”, he said.

A state-of-the art catering facility located at the Duke Lodge in Kingston is currently at 90% completion, Gouveia informed and he envisions it serving the needs of international carriers and the Guyanese public. “We welcome the Marriott, we welcome the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and we most certainly welcome the Amaila Falls Hydropower project. We look forward with great pride and expectation to the future of Guyana,” Gouveia said.

His success he attributed mostly to his wife Debbie who stood by him even when situations seemed dismal. His children Jerry and Kevin were also thanked for their support.

The president hailed Gouveia for being among Guyana’s accomplished businessmen, and the owner of a local airline that employs over 200.

The Head of State recalled the first attempt by Gouveia to procure an aircraft and the confidence he (Ramotar) as a member of the Omai Gold Mines Limited board had at the time in Gouveia to expand from humble beginnings.