To the sound of Terry Gajraj’s “Guyanese Baboo” chutney hit, American Airlines on Wednesday launched its service between New York’s JFK Airport and Guyana’s Cheddi Jagan Airport.
The airline will operate direct flights between the two destinations daily and if the sold-out inaugural flight is anything to go by, American Airlines may be steadying up for the long haul in the new route.
At a send-off ceremony at Terminal 8 of the JFK Airport, Guyana’s Consul General in New York Barbara Atherly welcomed the additional flight to the Guyana market from New York.
She said with Guyana currently at the centre of the world’s attention with oil production looming, it is definitely a good time for Guyanese abroad and others to visit and rediscover Guyana.
“This is great because for the Guyanese in the Diaspora, one of the things that they have always been calling for is the increase in the number of flights to Georgetown Guyana and we feel that with more airlines plying the route, it will longterm bring down the cost of travel and so we see this as a major step in the right direction”, Atherly said.
She added that it will also serve as a new connection for investors who are looking at Guyana as their new investment hub.
American Airlines representative, Justin Franco said American Airlines is feeling great about the Guyana market and its potential. He said the launch of the New York to Georgetown service is a move that excites the airline, especially with the success of the Miami to Georgetown route.