…assures security bonds are in place to protect passengers, state entities
The move by US carrier Easter Airline to suspend its service to Guyana is yet to be communicated to Guyana government and the Ministry of Public Works, while acknowledging the decision by the company , noted that there are bonds in place to protect affected passengers and state entities.
“This decision by the airline, which commenced operations less than one year ago, is yet to be officially communicated to the Government of Guyana,” the Public Works Ministry said.
It noted that within the past few days the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has held several discussions with the company and during those discussions, there was no mention of the suspension of flights to Georgetown.
“Notwithstanding, the Ministry of Public Works, Cheddi Jagan International Airport, and the Guyana Revenue Authority currently have bonds, in place, with Eastern Airlines to help protect passengers and state agencies,” the ministry said in a release.
Eastern Airlines’ last flight operations were on Saturday, February 6 and their next scheduled flight was expected on Friday, February 12, the ministry noted.
The airlines operated four (4) flights weekly in January 2021 but this was significantly reduced in the last two (2) weeks.
Eastern Airlines, formerly Dynamic Airways, noted early on Tuesday that it has cancelled all of its flights to and from Guyana until further notice.
Almost one year after restarting its operation here, the airline has requested that its customers to contact travel agencies where they booked flights in order to obtain a refund.
A source at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) told the Village Voice that the Miami-based carrier cancelled all its operations this week at its handling agent, Roraima Airways. A passenger who was booked to travel on Sunday, told the Village Voice that a friend informed him of the recent development which he observed from a Facebook post. The passenger said he is left at wits end since the airline did not contact him regarding his flight.
Eastern Airlines, under its former brand – Dynamic Airways, had filed for bankruptcy in 2018.
The Government of Guyana had declined its application to re-enter Guyana’s market in 2019, however six months after rejecting the airline’s application, the government granted its approval but under strict conditions.
Previously, Eastern Airlines, which was headquartered in Miami, operated a charter service between Guyana and New York through an arrangement with Travel Span and One Guyana. However, Eastern Airlines folded in 2017 and was bought over by Swift Air.
Following a range of investment maneuverings, Dynamic International Airways had applied to the United States Department of Transportation to operate its Boeing 767 aircraft under the Eastern Airlines name.
A document filed with the U.S. authorities, stated that Kenneth Wolley, a 38 per cent shareholder of Swift Air, became the 100 per cent owner at Dynamic Airways after it declared bankruptcy earlier last year. Dynamic Airways was then able to use the ‘Eastern’ brand.
