Guyana on Tuesday inaugurated direct flights from Canada, courtesy of the collaboration between Canadian Jetline and Fly Always Air Services.
This milestone enables members of the Canadian Diaspora and tourists alike to effortlessly visit Guyana via non-stop flights, simplifying their journeys.
The new non-stop route from Toronto, Canada, to Guyana, operated by Fly Always, will offer biweekly flights on an A320 aircraft with a seating capacity of 174.
This translates to 696 seats per week or a remarkable 36,192 seats annually. The increased connectivity will provide passengers with more options and enhanced competitiveness in terms of airfare to Guyana. The aircraft will make a brief stop in the Dominican Republic for refueling purposes.
As of August 2023, Guyana has witnessed a remarkable increase in passenger numbers, totalling 480,384 compared to 421,484 passengers during the corresponding period of 2022, marking a 14 per cent surge in arrivals and departures.
This figure is currently eight per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Before March 2020, Guyana had six carriers conducting scheduled flights. Since then, four more carriers, including Jet Blue, Inter Caribbean Airways, Fly Always, and British Airways, have joined the fray under the PPP/C Administration, enhancing connectivity and accessibility.
Guyana’s cargo operations have also seen substantial growth, with August 2023 figures showing 7,114 tonnes compared to 5,627 tonnes during the same period in 2022, reflecting a 26 per cent increase. Cargo imports rose by 22 per cent, primarily driven by increased industrial supplies and bulk packages. Exports recorded a remarkable 47 per cent increase, attributed mainly to greater shipments of perishable products such as fresh-cut flowers, fruits, vegetables, and consumer goods in 2023.
