Eastern Airlines in process of refunding passengers – GCAA

…Govt says US$250,000 set aside as liabilities

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has stated that Eastern Airlines, which terminated its service to Guyana on Monday, is in the process of addressing refunds for all impacted passengers and US$250,000 has been set aside as passengers’ liabilities should the airline fail in honouring its obligation.

The move by the US carrier to suspend its service to Guyana was officially communicated to the Government after the fact. Eastern Airlines’ last flight operations were on Saturday, February 6 and their next scheduled flight was expected on Friday, February 12.

Though a sudden move, the Airline said that the termination will continue over the next few months and is due to the ongoing pandemic and new travel restrictions in place in the United States which has resulted in more cancellations than confirmed bookings.

“The airline is presently in the process of addressing refunds for all impacted passengers. There is a bond with the Ministry of Public Works for the sum of $250,000USD to take care of passengers’ liabilities should the airline fail in honouring its obligation to passengers,” the GCAA stated in a press release.

The Authority stated further that it remains committed to working with the airline during this difficult period to ensure that all impacted passengers are refunded and that there is a smooth resumption of service to Guyana in the future.

Meanwhile, the airline has noted that when the travel restrictions are removed and air travel is able to begin, they will consider restarting their service.

Eastern Airlines, LLC has an active application with the GCAA for commencement of operations to Toronto, Canada which they are anticipating to start this summer, all things being equal.