BWIA, Universal to comply with US security measures
by Wendella Davidson
Guyana Chronicle
January 1, 2004
BWIA and Universal Airlines, two air-carriers that operate flights from Guyana into US airspace, have indicated that they will be complying with a directive from the US Directive of Homeland Security to employ armed security law enforcement officers on flights to, from or over US airspace.
The department on Monday issued the aviation emergency orders which went into force with immediate effect, to further boost security on passenger and cargo aircraft flying to, from and over the United States.
In an invited comment yesterday, BWIA Area Manager in Guyana, Mr Carlton De Four said the directive is a requirement, which the airline has no choice but to comply with, as it frequently, utilises the airspace of the United States.
BWIA, headquartered in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago, operates several flights to the US daily, servicing Miami, New York and Washington DC. Flights out of Guyana are one-stop, spending about 45 minutes in Trinidad.
One aspect of the directive specifies that the air marshals must be trained Government law officers, but when asked De Four was not in a position to say whether the personnel will be recruited from Guyana or Trinidad.
He noted however, that the airline will be consulting with the Ministry of Home Affairs and other relevant authorities here, regarding whatever decision has to be taken.
Vice President, Sales, Mr Mark De Freitas, speaking on behalf of Universal Airlines (UW), noted he was unaware that the airline had received an official documentation from the US Homeland Security, regarding the directive.
That aside, he said should the request be made the airline, which flies to John F. Kennedy (JFK) International and Ft. Lauderdale, will have to comply.
Currently UW operates five flights per week into US airspace, as a peak season operation, and should continue do so for the next three weeks.
Asked whether such new arrangements would mean the incurring of additional costs to the airline, De Freitas responded "definitely, as we are not subsidized."
U.S. Secretary for Homeland Security, Tom Ridge had said in making the announcement that armed law enforcement officers will only be placed on 'flights of interest', where the US and other authorities determine that added security is necessary.
Communications Consultant in the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, Ajay Baksh, has said too that the Ministry has not yet received any official documentation from the US on the issue.
According to him, if a request is made the Ministry will "most certainly" have to examine it to see what has to be done.