New man at helm of GA2000
GA2000 airline, in its drive to recruit qualified local pilots, is making arrangements for their refresher training aboard the Boeing 757 Jet it now leases from Ansett, officials said yesterday. The move, which is to be gradual, will serve as an extra boost for Guyanese pilots, many of whom are not engaged in contracts. Management of GA2000, which earlier this year was in serious financial problems said it has decided to convert the current Ansett agreement from a wet lease to a dry lease. Once the transfer is finalised and training undergone, Guyanese pilots could assume the title of Captain aboard the Boeing 757 instead of being mere co-pilots, as is the customary practice. The local carrier has taken on board Jamaican-born, ex-BWIA General Manager (North America), Mr Tom Scarlett as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Scarlett, who yesterday attended a press briefing shortly after arriving in Guyana, said GA2000 is already in an advanced stage of negotiation for a backup aircraft to be made available within 24 hours, in the advent that the one being used now goes out of service for any reason. He said the single-aircraft airline is also actively pursuing discussions for strategic alliances and functional cooperation with other airlines. "I plan shortly to be meeting with my colleagues in BWIA and Air Jamaica to further those discussions, in addition to the approaches which have already been made by the directors to a number of major carriers," Scarlett said. He said his priority as new CEO will be to deliver to shareholders a profitable airline which has a capacity for expansion and growth. "While I was certainly happy and proud to have served at various senior management levels with BWIA, I could not resist the opportunity to take on the challenge of helping GA2000 realise the very real possibility of the airline becoming a major player as a West Indian airline," Scarlett told reporters. He said the future of the national carrier lies in it expanding its horizons and taking services into the Caribbean and Latin America. "Guyana Airways, I believe, has considerable potential for the role it will play in the future of regional aviation," Scarlett added. Chairman of GA2000, Mr Yesu Persaud said the airline which currently has a staff complement of 40, intends to seek additional capital for expansion and general recruitment purposes. Provisions are to be made for new seating arrangements on the Boeing jet now being leased by GA2000. It will provide accommodation for 12 Business Class and 183 Economy Class seats. There will be a reduction in passenger payload out of New York and Toronto if necessary. Persaud was confident that the problems facing GA2000 are over and said the airline is now ready to take on all the challenges in the market place. (SHARON LALL)
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