Guyana cites need for help with offshore helicopter operations

 (L-R) Mohamed Abu Baker Farea, Regional Director (ICAO Middle East);  Stephen Creamer, Director, ICAO Air Navigation Bureau; Salvatore Sciacchitano, ICAO Council President; Juan Edghill, Minister of Public Works and Saheed Sulaman, Director, Air Transport Management, GCAA.  (Ministry of Public Works photo)
(L-R) Mohamed Abu Baker Farea, Regional Director (ICAO Middle East); Stephen Creamer, Director, ICAO Air Navigation Bureau; Salvatore Sciacchitano, ICAO Council President; Juan Edghill, Minister of Public Works and Saheed Sulaman, Director, Air Transport Management, GCAA. (Ministry of Public Works photo)

Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill has raised the need for continued support to this country in relation to offshore helicopter operations among other areas.

This is according to a release from his ministry on his meetings in Saudi Arabia where he is attending the Future Aviation Forum under the theme “Innovation, Sustainability, Growth” with focus on three core thematic pillars: passenger experience, sustainability and aviation business recovery post-Covid.

The release said that Edghill met with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council President, Salvatore Sciacchitano to affirm Guyana’s appreciation for the level of support offered by it especially in relation to  Guyana’s efforts  to increase its level of compliance with the ICAO’s Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).

The release said that the ICAO Council President was briefed on the economic developments taking place in Guyana in the areas of tourism, oil and gas, domestic and international infrastructure and agricultural sector. He was also advised on the need for ICAO’s continued support in capacity building in the areas of training, offshore helicopter operations and development of hinterland aerodromes.

The release said that the ICAO Council President stated the desire for Guyana to get more involved in the work of ICAO at the Headquarters in Montreal, Canada and for Guyana’s full participation at the upcoming triennial 41st General Assembly in September 2022.

The release said that Edghill also highlighted  Guyana’s private-public partnership model as a means of driving major infrastructure investment, especially post-pandemic when there is stiff competition for finance from other sectors within the economy.

Separate bilateral meetings were also held with the Directors General, Civil Aviation Authorities of Singapore and United Arab Emirates to discuss technical cooperation, fellowships for aviation training programmes, aviation connectivity for cargo and passengers and technical aid in aircraft accident probes.