Canadian airline, WestJet Airlines, has announced that it is offering relief flights home for Canadians citizens who are stuck here because of the closure of airports over the coronavirus.
The airline over this weekend, is offering two flights on April 18 and 20 from Guyana’s Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) to the Toronto Pearson International Airport, Toronto, Canada.
According to the airline’s website, the flights are non-stop and will depart Guyana at 3.30 pm on both days. The flights are priced at CAD$1,023.
Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Egbert Field, last night confirmed the airline had received the necessary approval to operate the flights scheduled for this weekend.
On Tuesday, Field explained, that with the airspace closed to commercial passenger flights, special flights such as those being offered by WestJet are granted approval on the grounds that they are regarded as special humanitarian relief flights.
“The directive does not allow for any special flights at this time. We have to be cautious of the fact that individuals can be carrying the virus and it is better for us to deal with what we have in house than expose ourselves,” the GCAA Director General had explained before stating that this is a measure used by several countries to minimise the spread of the virus.
Ex-Canadian citizen and Presidential Candidate of the Liberty and Justice Party, Lenox Shuman, informed his following of the flight via Facebook.
“WestJet is doing a couple [of] repatriation flights out of Georgetown on the 18th and 20th of April.
Canadians wishing to go home, book at WestJet.com.” Shuman posted.
Earlier this month, the Canadian High Commission assisted Canadians to return home amidst the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
A total of 23 Canadians began their journey through a collaboration between the Canadian High Commission, Trans Guyana Airways and Eastern Airways.
Flights, which left Guyana via the Eugene F. Correia International Airport during the morning hours, were expected to fly the passengers to Barbados, where they would then board another plane to take them to Toronto.
Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee told the Sunday Stabroek that the High Commission has been reaching out to Canadians across the country for some weeks since the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Guyana. She had said then that the commission is working extremely hard to provide the best opportunities for persons wishing to return to their home in Canada. On Tuesday, the US Embassy assisted some 200 passengers to return home via a flight from CJIA to Miami International Airport. Eastern Airlines transported those passengers.
