Pledging its commitment to the local market, US-based Dynamic Airways yesterday introduced its 25 trained Guyanese cabin attendants who will serve on the Guyana-New York route.

Local representative of the airline Gerry Gouveia, whose company Roraima Airways is responsible for ground handling here, sought to reassure the public that the airline is back on track saying that the delays and cancellations over the holidays were isolated cases due to technical problems.

Gerry Gouveia addresses attendees at the ceremony for the new cabin recruits.

“The recruitment and training of young Guyanese by Dynamic Airways represents a tangible and valuable investment in the Guyanese human capital by the newest airline operating in Guyana,” Gouveia said yesterday at a ceremony held at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, for the new air hostesses.

“This is testimony to the company’s firm commitment to Guyana,” he added even as he boasted that the service offered by the new recruits is second to none.

The airline has been heavily criticized since its entrance, mostly for its initial failures in having requisite documentation from the US end to operate and then major cancellations on Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Yesterday, Gouveia apologized stressing that the airline is here for the long haul.

“We can’t say sorry enough, we are extremely sorry…out of a total of 40 scheduled flights, we performed 38 while two were cancelled because of maintenance issues. Admittedly our cancellations occurred on the worst possible days of the year but on both occasions it was as a result of safety issues and we place safety above all,” Gouveia asserted.

“All passengers (have) an option to be transported on our other flights …anybody that asked for a refund were absolutely refunded… there is nobody here or in New York at this time waiting,” he added.

The local representative highlighted the positives stressing that for this holiday over 6000 persons were able to visit Guyana on the carrier.

He said too that because of the airline’s entrance, an environment of stable airfares was created, which, according to him saw fares dropping some 22% compared to 2013.

Local representative of Dynamic Airways Captain Gerry Gouveia (left at front) with some of the flight attendants on the stairway of the aircraft which departed at 5 pm yesterday. (See page 3)

The airline is also the only carrier that continues to allow passengers two pieces of checked luggage compared to others where a charge is added.

Gouveia informed that flights have returned to normal and are departing on time or with minimal delays.

The airline is now looking to the future as it puts plans in place to begin cargo operations soon in addition to expanding its range of services to other North American destinations.

“Dynamic Airways remains committed to serving Guyana. We will put you first. We will work harder every day to continuously improve our level of service to you, the travelling public and our greatest supporters. That’s our promise!” he emphasized.

According to Gouveia, plans are on stream for the second tranche of training for the flight attendants and they are also discussing the possibility of widening the aviation professions that Dynamic Airways intends to train and employ Guyanese in.

Last June, 400 persons were interviewed for the position of stewards with the airline.

From that number, 50 were shortlisted and then 25 were trained and certified in the United States.

Speaking to Stabroek News, cabin attendant Ann-Marie Blanchard described the experience as “absolutely wonderful and quite a learning experience.”

She informed that the 25 attendants were trained from June to October in Greensboro, North Carolina and all persons are now certified by the US’ Federal Aviation Authority.

The cabin attendant added that the airline gave them the opportunity to work during their training in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and India.

Eccles resident Alana Singh echoed much of Blanchard’s views and added that to work where the culture and norms were different was an indelible experience for her.

“In Saudi Arabia it was so different. You had to wear the clothes they wear when you were there so we had to cover up our faces and wear those clothes…I was in awe of the overall culture. The food too (was) new but exciting to try, lots of curries and spicy,” she fondly recalled.