Gala reception marks GA2000's first flight to New York
by Wendella Davidson
A GALA reception attended by civic leaders and members of the Guyanese community in New York last Friday evening, marked the inaugural flight of Guyana Airways (GA2000) to the United States of America. The occasion, complete with a sumptuous dinner, was held on the ground floor of the Chateau Royale Hotel located on Atlantic Avenue, Queens, New York. Among those who spoke glowingly of the airline venture and appealed for it to be supported, were Guyana's Consul General in New York, Mr Brentnol Evans; Guyanese-born Reverend Colin Moore representing New York Congressman, Ed Towns; New York Senator, Guyanese-born Mr John Sampson: New York City Council Member, Ms Una Clarke; Mr John Blue of John Blue Real Estate and Guyanese-born Ms Vera Walker, representing the Mount Vernon Community. Fittingly, a message from Mayor of New York, read by his representative, Ms Linda Gras, congratulated GA2000, and praised the Guyana Government for privatising the airline. Others present were: Mr Yesu Persaud, Chairman of GA2000; Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Mr Anthony Xavier; Minister of Information, Mr Moses Nagamootoo; General Secretary of the People's National Congress (PNC), Mr Oscar Clarke; Mr Winston Brassington, Executive Secretary of GA 2000 and Head of the Privatisation Unit; and Mr Vickram Oditt. The dignitaries had all travelled on the GA2000 inaugural flight from the Cheddi Jagan International Hotel, Timehri. The impressive ceremony began at about 21:30 hours to the strains of Bob Marley's `One Love'. The modern A-300 airbus had touched down at the John F. Kennedy Airport at 20:55 hours, following a 95-minute delay in Guyana. The delay, it was learnt, was the result of administrative snags in the processing of travel documents. However, once airborne, the flight was a smooth one, and atmosphere in the cabin was characterised by a togetherness among passengers, who included media representatives. Following the aircraft's arrival at the JFK Airport, special invitees were transported to the Hilton Hotel, Queens, New York, and from there to the reception venue. At this event, there was a continuous flow of praise for the vision and planning of the GA2000 administration, and many of the speakers appealed for support of the airline by Guyanese residing overseas. Most forceful in her brief remarks, was Jamaica-born Reverend Una Clarke of the New York City Council. She urged Guyanese to "take ownership" of the airline, since it is only through ownership that they will have the pride and courage to invest and promote the venture. Urging all overseas-based Guyanese to "market" the new airline, Clarke said that in order to reap success, the people of Guyana must feel they have a stake in the country and the airline. The New York City Council representative noted that governments do not always do the right things, adding that from her experience with `Air Jamaica', that national flag carrier was a success because of the partnership with government. Rev. Una Clarke said Guyanese will feel pride and joy whenever they travel on their own airline, and she pledged to do all in her power to promote GA2000. The City Councillor also advised travel agents not to over-book the airline. Senator Sampson, who is of Guyanese heritage, described the launching of GA2000 as a first step towards taking Guyana to the new millennium, and he called on Guyanese businessmen residing in New York to join in the restoration. According to Sampson, GA2000 is evidence that business and government can co-exist and he exhorted the gathering to support the venture, not only in word, but in deed. Rev. Colin Moore is an overseas-based Guyanese attorney who conveyed greetings and congratulations to the GA2000 management from Congressman Towns. Moore said that his heart, soul and spirit are totally committed to Guyana and Guyana Airways 2000. He said that he was overjoyed at learning that a Guyanese carrier was due to begin service between Guyana and New York. There were Loud cheers when Rev. Moore remarked that he had always wished to see an aircraft on which the Golden Arrowhead was emblazoned. He referred to a line of scripture about "wings of eagles" and expressed the hope that the wings of GA2000 would reach Toronto and London. PNC General Secretary Oscar Clarke remarked that the launching of the airline was a welcome development and that the venture is one anticipated to be successful. He congratulated the directors of GA2000 and said that it deserved the support of all Guyanese. The PNC General Secretary cautioned though, that the airline's administration must not take passengers for granted. Consul Evans was pleased that the launching had brought the Guyanese community together, and he reminded the guests that sometimes "a setback is a set up for a comeback". In his remarks, Minister Nagamootoo said that the establishment of Guyana Airways GA2000 is a giant step for Guyana. He pointed out that his presence at the function in New York indicates the importance the Government attaches to the occasion. Chairman Persaud, in a brief overview of GA2000 leading up to the July 9 inaugural flight, stated that Guyana had been left behind as a country and that the existing problems could only be solved through Guyanese working together. He drew attention to Rev. Clarke's presence and said that it is probably a sign that things are changing, and that the Private Sector too, has to change with the tide. Persaud said that the airline has to be successful and he appealed for the support of all Guyanese. He promised that it is only a matter of time before the GA2000 service would be compared favourably with those of the Asian airlines. But he cautioned that this could only be achieved through togetherness. Minister Xavier, who has responsibility for the airline industry, said that the privatisation of Guyana Airways marked the beginning of many changes in the aviation sector. He noted Government's determination to allow the private sector to play a more meaningful role in the development of Guyana. Other planned changes include, the leasing of the Ogle Aerodrome; amendment of the Civil Aviation Act, 1996, to enable the private sector to invest in aviation activities previously done by Government; restructuring the Civil Aviation Department and restructuring the management and operations of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri. Minister Xavier said GA2000 will fill the void left by the sudden departure of the Guyana Airways Corporation (GAC). He also revealed that although the Government had taken steps to ensure that adequate international flights were available for all travellers, he believed that a significant proportion of Guyanese had still yearned for a national carrier. The Minister also spoke of other efforts to ensure adequate international air transport and alluded to North American Airlines; Air Caribbean and Tower Air; BWIA, LIAT and Suriname Airways. The Minister described the members of the GA2000 team as seasoned professionals, and said that the venture represents a new direction for them "with its attendant pockets of turbulence and wind-shear". Xavier expressed confidence that the airline will rise to the occasion and urged that all Guyanese support the venture.
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