AVIATOR and BUSINESS Tycoon Captain Yacoob Mazaharally Farewell
A Mazaharally & Sons were in KWEBANNA in the 1990s with extensive TIMBER and SAWMILLING OPERATIONS, and at SKULL Point-CUYUNI-MAZRUNI, employing close to ONE THOUSAND PERSONS, who LIVED and WORKED in 2 or 3 SHIFTS daily.
Entrepreneur Yacoob Mazaharally’s early involvement in the TIMBER and SAWMILLING Industry provided him with valuable experience in:
1. Supply chain management: Sourcing and processing timber.
2. Operations management: Overseeing sawmilling operations.
3. Entrepreneurship: Running a business.
These SKILLS contributed to his MANY SUCCESSES in the AVIATION industry, particularly in building and the EXPANSION of Air Services Limited (ASL).
Guyana’s timber industry had significant potential for growth and development, with the gained experience in:
1. Sustainable forestry practices: Managing forests for long-term timber production.
2. Export opportunities: Guyana’s timber is exported globally.
3. Local economic impact: The industry contributes to Guyana’s economy and employment.
One of Guyana’s OLD MONEY PATRIOT for ALL SEASONS, Capt. Yacoob Mazaharally’s experiences in TIMBER, SAWMILLIMNG and SHIPPING, heavily influenced his BUSINESS approach in AVIATION emphasizing Reliability, Efficiency, Price, Services coupled with Staff training, Development, and Internal Promotions.
SHIPPING: At one time there were 10 OCEAN and over 25 COASTAL VESSELS in the Group.
VERY IMPORTANT: EXTRAORDINARY VISIONARY on aircrafts turnaround times
The Mazaharally GROUP and especially Captain Yacoob Mazarally DID NOT DEPEND on GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS to sustain THEIR businesses. He was a VISIONARY in PROJECTING DEMAND and built the INFRASTRUCTURE to fulfill orders. From the UK to Iraq to the Caribbean, Netherlands and many more countries, Yacoob Mazaharally made Guyana WOODS FAMOUS around THE WORLD.
Capt. Yacoob understood JUST IN TIME INVENTORY which he implemented BEFORE it became a BUZZWORD by business GURUS.
Executive Jerome Bulkan actively worked with Capt. Yacoob to implement rapid turnaround in Guyana’s aviation sector. KEY, An AIRCRAFT on the GROUND do not earn REVENUES.
1972 USA Southwest Airlines is OFTEN CREDITED with PIONEERING the quick turnaround strategy in the US airline industry. By focusing on efficient ground operations and minimizing time spent on the ground, Southwest has been able to increase productivity and reduce costs. Southwest’s business model and operational strategies have been highly influential in the industry. Other airlines, like Delta and JetBlue, have also developed their own approaches to optimizing turnaround times.
Southwest Airlines implemented its famous 10-minute turnaround strategy in 1972, under the leadership of Bill Franklin, the Vice President of Terminal Operations, and Lamar Muse, the President of Southwest Airlines. This strategy was a response to the airline’s financial struggles, and it involved getting employees to WORK TOGETHER to quickly TURN AROUND AIRCRAFTS and maintain flight schedules.
GOAL: To reduce turnaround time to 10 minutes and maintain flight schedules with fewer planes STRATEGY: Employees worked together to quickly unload and load passengers and baggage, refuel, and clean the plane
OUTCOME: The strategy helped Southwest Airlines save money, increase efficiency, and eventually become profitable
These VISIONARY approaches became a HALLMARK of the MAZAHARALLY & AIR SERVICES GROUPS, operational efficiency, and a strong company culture with Customers’ and Services’ Focuses.
Yesterday, on JULY 22, 2025, WE BID FAREWELL to the Visionary Captain Yacoob Mazaharally, a TRUE PIONEER who defied conventions and PUSHED boundaries, with a career spanning multiple industries, from Timber, Sawmilling, Shipping to Aviation, Captain Yacoob, exemplified the spirit of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Service.
His HUMBLE NATURE belied a SHARP MIND, which thinking outside the box, turning CHALLENGES into OPPORTUNITIES. As WE reflect on his LEGACY, we are reminded of the importance of ADAPTABILITY, RESILIENCE and PASSION.
IMAM/ Captain Yacoob Mazaharally’s LIFE serves as a TESTAMENT to the POWER of Visionary thinking and the impact ONE INDIDIDUAL can have on Guyana, Communities and Globally. May his LEGACY INSPIRE future generations to dream BIG, WORK HARD, and stay HUMBLE.
May Captain Yacoob Mazarally’s soul rest in ETERNAL PEACE, and his LEGACY RISE in GLORY, inspiring GENERATIONS to come.
May his MEMORY be a BLESSING to his LOVED ones and a GUIDING LIGHT for those who follow in his footsteps.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.” “Surely WE belong to Allah and to Him shall WE return.”
“ Jannah al-Firdaus is the second level of Jannah, or paradise” , and is considered the most prestigious level. The word “Firdaus” is an Arabic term that literally means “paradise”.
Be Assured of My Highest Considerations.
Dr. Shamir Andrew Ally
