Progress being made on GA 2000's dry lease - Scarlett
Progress is being made in converting GA (Guyana Airways) 2000's lease arrangement with its Australian carrier to a full dry lease. This is the word from new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tom Scarlett in a press release issued on Wednesday. The dry lease will enable the hiring of local pilots. As the first privately-owned national flag carrier observes its first anniversary, Scarlett was high in praise of the airline coming through some significant challenges successfully. "From my experience in the industry, I can say with conviction that it is seldom that a young, small airline, operating with a single aircraft and beginning life with limited capital assets at its disposal, is able to so successfully complete its first year of operation..." Scarlett said in a statement issued through Public Communications Consultants Limited (PCCL). He looks forward to "developing the National Airline into a truly Regional (one) offering services to the Caribbean and the Americas." Reporting on some of the major achievements of the airline, Scarlett said, GA 2000 has done very well since the introduction of its Boeing 757-200 Aircraft. He stated that he is pleased with the passenger loads which have proved to be better than anticipated. GA 2000 had previously used an Airbus but exorbitant operating costs had caused severe financial strain. Meanwhile, GA 2000 is pressing ahead with plans to increase its number of shareholders from the current 12. Stabroek News was reliably informed that the document for the share offer is in the course of preparation and is dependent on marketing and other plans now being developed by Scarlett and his team particularly as it relates to linkages with airlines. In a separate statement through PCCL, GA 2000 Chairman Yesu Persaud said the intended share capital increase is to support the airline's expansion programme. Persaud believes that the airline has "largely" delivered on its promise of offering passengers an international service of excellence with that special and distinctive quality of welcome and hospitality that is truly Guyanese in character and at very competitive prices", adding that "we are better equipped to face the future with confidence."
 Follow the goings-on in Guyana
|