Huge contingent lands here with GA 2000
Guyana Airways 2000, in only its third week of operation, on Saturday achieved a significant milestone in its own history as well as this country's when it brought its largest single contingent of passengers to Guyana. No less than 268 passengers disembarked from the GA 2000 Flight 622 when the aircraft set down on the tarmac of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri after departing New York, albeit an hour and a half late. A triumphant Kit Nascimento, public relations consultant for the airline told journalists gathered for the event that the flight was a vindication of the passengers' faith in the airline. He announced that the flight, the first full one in the new airline's three-week history, had received bookings for 273 seats and that a smaller number of passengers - around 200 - were scheduled to depart on the same plane. He conceded that the flight had left its destination late but noted that the reason - a broken baggage conveyor belt - had been no fault of the airline. It was a reason that passenger Hubert Keiler told Stabroek News had not been conveyed to passengers in New York who had been delayed. However, this aside, the Guyanese noted that he could live with all other aspects of the fledgling airline's service. More enthusiastic in their praise for the flight were Tameshwari Ranglall and Bhagwandei Bhiroo, two Guyanese residents who lauded the inflight service and noted that the flight was the best they had travelled on. Mohammed Khan, another passenger whose views were solicited after the flight noted that the service on the airplane was very up to date. According to Russel Edun, Marketing Manager of GA 2000, the aircraft - an A 300-600 Series Airbus - is among the most advanced of its class. The craft is one of the tools the new airline is using as it attempts to overcome the stigma of the old Guyana Airways Corporation which it bought out some months ago. Another tool, according to Nascimento was the hard work and dedication shown by the new company's officials, among them Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Mekdeci. This dedication and the faith of the Guyanese people were put into perspective by another passenger on the flight named John Wilson. Wilson, who has travelled extensively noted that he had willingly come off BWIA to travel on GA 2000.
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