Smaller aircraft for GA 2000
By Wendella Davidson
Guyana Airways 2000 (GA 2000) yesterday began operating a smaller aircraft, a Boeing 757-200, on its flight route. On the aircraft's inaugural flight to Guyana there were 114 passengers. Some were loud in praise of the in-service provided. The passengers, many of them toting miniature Guyana flags distributed during a ceremony at the JFK International Airport prior to the aircraft's departure for Guyana, described the flight as either "smooth", "good" or "comfortable". The Boeing 757-200 aircraft which can seat 197 passengers in three classes - Business 12 seats, Premium Economy 24, and Economy 159 - replaces the A 300 Airbus, a 278-seater, with which the airline initially started its operations on July 9 last year. Passengers will be allowed two pieces of luggage weighing a maximum 120 pounds. GA 2000 Chairman, Mr Yesu Persaud, held a press conference in the Executive VIP Lounge at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, prior to the arrival of the inaugural flight from New York at approximately 15:15 hrs. He said that the acquisition of the aircraft from Ansett Worldwide Aviation Services, an Australian carrier, is a result of a wet lease for a minimum period of six months. During this period, the replacement aircraft, as was the case with the A 300 Airbus, will be captained by Australian pilots. Persaud said the company anticipates that the agreement will be converted into a dry lease, thus allowing GA 2000 to identify its own pilots to captain the carrier. He said that the airline has already begun the process of identifying the relevant personnel, who, once selected, will have to be re-trained and re-examined in order to fly the aircraft. The GA 2000 Chairman explained that the aircraft which was used before, was too large for a direct flight to New York. The smaller aircraft will satisfy the current and predictable passenger demand. He also pointed out that the 195 seats on the smaller plane will allow for greater leg room between seats. The GA 2000 Chairman explained that because safety of its passengers is of utmost importance to the airline, the 11-year-old aircraft was subjected to thorough inspections by a local technical team before it was handed over to them. In addition, the entire cabin crew was retrained by Ansett for service on the 757 aircraft. The aircraft has also been issued with Airworthiness Certificates from the United States, Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), and the Civil Aviation and Safety Administration (CASA) of Australia. Alluding to the issue of maintenance of the aircraft, Persaud assured that discussions are on stream with a major carrier to provide back-up service. At the press conference too, he hinted that the airline will embark on a major plan in relation to the issue of shares. The GA 2000 Chairman spoke too of the Frequent Flyer Service now in place, which entitles a passenger who has completed five round trips to any of the airline's American destinations within a two-year period, to earn a free ticket. Likewise, four trips within the said period, can earn the traveller a 75 per cent discount. "We will continue to match our competitors with a first class international service. We provide an international service, but it will always be uniquely designed and operated primarily for Guyana and Guyanese, with that very special and distinctive quality of welcome and hospitality on board that only Guyanese can offer," Persaud boasted. With Persaud yesterday were Mr Nowrang Persaud, General Manager (Acting); Mr Harold Hopkinson, Chief of Security; and Mr Mike Brassington, Director and Government representative.
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