Regional airline LIAT yesterday announced plans for flights to Ogle International Airport by mid-year as the facility was officially bestowed with regional class certification.
The announcement was made by LIAT’s Chief Executive Officer Ian Brunton, who was also among passengers on the airline’s inaugural landing at the airport yesterday to mark its certification.
At the official ceremony, Brunton later recalled the Ogle airport management’s announcement of plans to extend the runway to accommodate ATR series and Dash-8 series class aircraft as well as LIAT’s immediate agreement to review the possibility of beginning service to Ogle as an alternative to Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri.
“We expect to be able to start commercial operations by mid this year…,” he said, while underscoring the importance of the development in the growth of regional air transport.
Burton shared the results of a survey conducted by his company that illustrated the benefits of flights to and from Ogle to other Caribbean destinations. Preliminary figures from LIAT’s survey showed that of the 625 persons who participated in the survey, 62% preferred Ogle Airport, given its close proximity to the city, as compared to 37% who chose the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, for their departures and arrivals. It was noted that 84% of participants were non-nationals.
“It was determined that the closer proximity to Georgetown would give the company a competitive advantage. Flying into Ogle would also mean reduced flying time… this of course would result in a significant annual fuel reduction for LIAT,” he also said, revealing that an estimated 19,300 gallons of fuel would be saved, and which would be significant at the current per gallon price of fuel. “Any amount of savings is important to us it doesn’t matter how small,” he added.
The airline’s inaugural Ogle flight was manned by an all-Guyanese seven-member crew that pulled into the airport runway shortly after 4pm yesterday afternoon and departed at 7pm to demonstrate the airport’s readiness for regional day and night flights.
For LIAT to begin commercial services, Ogle would also have to install the navigational aid Variable Omni-Range Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) and this Brunton was told would be put in place.
Among those present at the ceremony yesterday were President Donald Ramotar, Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn and opposition Shadow Minister Joseph Harmon, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission Ronald Webster, members of the diplomatic missions and high profile members of the business community.
Webster stressed the importance of saving time when travelling and he shared his experience of losing three days in transiting in various countries, such as Trinidad and Panama before he could get to neighbouring Brazil by airline.
Benn, who reflected on his childhood playing in the fields that once was the Ogle Airport, expressed how proud he was to see the development of the site over the years. He said that he envisions for the airport to become a domestic hub that would continue to offer services to the myriad of sectors in Guyana, especially forestry, and mining sectors, while including neighbouring countries populated by Guyanese.
Chairman of the Ogle Airport Incorporated board Michael Correia Jr pointed out the benefits of public-private partnerships while he noted the benefits of the regional airport to not only travelling passengers but to Guyana’s development. “ Ogle Airport cost the Guyanese taxpayers nothing… we have estimated that the Government of Guyana and therefore the people of the Guyana , as a result will benefit from over 50% of the profits of [the airport],” he explained.
“The airport’s contribution to GDP growth and to the development of the interior and tourism of Guyana should not be underestimated… the next five years will see a significant increase in regional traffic and provide Guyanese and visitors alike with a variety of travel options,” he added.
An estimated USD$6M or $1.2B so far has gone into developing the airport and as is needed the airport’s management plans to invest more as part of its infrastructural development plan.
Meanwhile, special awards were presented to several persons for their sterling contribution towards the development and transformation of Ogle. They included former Caribbean Community Secretary General, Sir Edwin Carrington; former Transport Minister Anthony Xavier and former Head of the EU Delegation in Guyana Per Eklund, who was represented by current Head Robert Kopecky. President Ramotar received a posthumous award on behalf of late former President Janet Jagan.
