Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) last night announced that it will begin to serve the Guyana to Barbados route with three flights weekly out of the Eugene F. Correia International Air-port (EFCIA) commencing October 31.
In a Facebook post, the airline announced that it is open for bookings via its website, call centre, ticket office or via travel agents. CAL has already started flying to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri.
According to the airline, flights from Ogle to Barbados offer onward connections to the eastern Caribbean.
“Experienced anything new lately? Try swimming with the turtles plus take in the white sandy tropical goodness. Gear up for the ultimate recharge as Barbados has your ideal dose of Vitamin Sea. Fly 3 times weekly from Ogle airport, with onward connections within the Eastern Caribbean via Barbados,” the notice stated.
According to the airline’s website, return flight prices start at around US$288.
In a statement today, CAL said it will be utilising its ATR-72 fleet for this route. It will fly Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. It will leave Barbados at 8.30 am and arrive at Ogle at 10.30 am. On the return leg, it leaves Ogle at 11.25 am and arrives in Barbados at 1.25 pm.
CEO of Caribbean Airlines, Garvin Medera stated: “Fulfilling the needs of our customers motivates all that we do, and the launch of service between Ogle and Barbados, is in direct response to stakeholder feedback.
“We value the loyalty and support of our customers and it is heartening that in the midst of the pandemic, we are able to introduce these new flights between Ogle and Barbados. Our teams are looking forward to connecting families and friends.
“We assure you that Caribbean Airlines observes safety protocols which are aligned with the highest international standards for the protection and well-being of our customers and employees.”
CAL said that these services to/from Ogle, will complement the airline’s current operations at Cheddi Jagan International, facilitating onward international connections to the UK and beyond and regional connections including St Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, St Vincent, St Lucia and other Caribbean Airlines destinations.
Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority Lt. Col. Egbert Field (ret’d) told Stabroek News that the airline was granted permission to operate on the route from October 19. He noted that the airline held off commencing operations as it was still in the process of training staff.
CAL has not flown to the EFCIA before but had expected to start doing so earlier this year. These plans were scotched by the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the route being a lucrative one and previously operated by the cash-strapped, Antigua-based airline LIAT, Field is of the opinion that there is enough space for both the locally-based Trans Guyana and Caribbean Airlines to operate.
Field told Stabroek News that the route has vast potential not only to offer travel between Guyana and Barbados but to aid in the expansion of the airlines’ operations.
“This was LIAT’s most profitable route. Almost all of LIAT’s flights on this route were filled so there is enough space for operation for the two airlines,” the Director General said.
LIAT has signaled that it will begin flying again but it is unclear when that will resume given its severe financial problems.
Trans Guyana Airways last week announced that it will be operating five weekly flights on the Ogle-Barbados route starting November 1.
Passengers entering Guyana are required to present a negative PCR test for COVID-19 done within seventy-two hours of travel. This allows them to exit the airport and be on their way after clearing Port Health Authorities, Immigration, and Customs.
As a second option, passengers will also be allowed entry into Guyana if they are able to present a negative PCR result of a test taken within four to seven days (4-7) of travel. However, they will be required to do another test upon arrival in Guyana after which the passengers will be free to proceed to their homes or hotels where they will remain isolated. Results will be relayed to all passengers within 24 hours.
The negative PCR test result will have to be shown to the airline operator during the check-in process at the airport of embarkation. And, subsequently, the negative PCR test result will also have to be shown to the Port Health Officials upon arrival at Guyana’s international airports (CJIA or EFCIA).
