Suriname Airways makes inaugural flight – hailed as a new chapter in Guyana/Suriname relations
Georgetown, GINA, April 2, 2012
It was hailed as a new chapter in bilateral relations between Guyana and Suriname when the latter country’s national air carrier touched down at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) enroute to Miami, USA, today.
The airline had been absent from the commercial skies for six years and, its return was marked by a customary welcome at Timehri where President Donald Ramotar and a team of officials from civil aviation, Foreign Affairs and the CARICOM Secretariat, met Surinamese President Desi Bouterse and his delegation who were the first passengers on the inaugural journey.
President Donald Ramotar greets his Surinamese counterpart, His Excellency, Desi Bouterse upon the Surinam President’s arrival at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on the inaugural Surinam Airways flight
Among them were Suriname’s Minister of Transport Industry and Communication Falisie Pinas, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Suriname Airways Ewald Henshuys and Wilderness Explorers, the sales agents for Suriname Airways.
Their local counterparts were Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn, Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce (ag) Irfaan Ali, CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque and CJIA officials.
Suriname Airways is the national airline based in the country’s capital Paramaribo which will operate regional and long-haul flights with all the international standard requirements.
Given that negotiations with the Guyana Government were among the main reasons for the airline’s return to the skies, it is looking to resume twice weekly flights from Paramaribo to Georgetown and flights to Toronto, Canada.
President Donald Ramotar and President of Suriname Desi Bouterse walking with an entourage to the arrival area of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport as passengers exit Surinam Airways during its inaugural flight en-route to Miami
The Surinamese Government hailed the contributions which Guyanese have made to their country’s visitor arrivals as they constitute the largest group.
The scale of visitors has grown over the last two years with approximately 33,000 in 2011 and 30,000 the previous year. Minister Pinas said it is hoped that with the national airline back in operation, the number will grow significantly.
Optimism is high that trade and tourism prospects will also increase and, President Ramotar spoke with confidence about the impact on the Diaspora in both countries that will be the beneficiaries of efficient travel.
President Donald Ramotar and President of Suriname Desi Bouterse toast at a ceremony in the VIP lounge at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to welcome the inaugural flight of Surinam Airways
“I think that we need more flights directly to our countries, for the development of tourism, because we do have a very good tourist product that we can develop and Suriname Airways coming here offers us also an easier way and probably a faster way of getting to Europe and attracting more European tourists to make Guyana a destination at this point in time,” President Ramotar said.
It is also hoped that with the re-entry of Suriname Airways there will be an alternative to the regime that requires passengers to transit North America before travelling to countries in Europe and Africa.
President Bouterse said accessibility to extra regional destinations is as important as travel between the two capitals and is consistent with his government’s plan to improve connectivity with the region through air, land and sea.
President Donald Ramotar speaking at the ceremony to mark the Surinam Airways inaugural flight
The Suriname national air carrier comes at a time when the Guyana Government is moving ahead with plans to construct a modern airport of international standards. The new 14,000 square meter building will include multiple terminals, and an extended runway. Government has budgeted $4.5B in the 2012 National Budget to cover the cost of the project.
President of Suriname Desi Bouterse speaking at the ceremony to mark the Surinam Airways inaugural flight
The goal, according to Minister Benn, is to facilitate development in the air transport sector locally and, airlines coming from other countries.
Following the inauguration ceremony, President Bouterse, who is also CARICOM Chairman, met President Ramotar at State House for bilateral talks and staff of the CARICOM Secretariat at Liliendaal.