Georgetown : Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon said that Government recognises the likely impact of the disruption caused by the demise of the low-cost air carrier, EZjet.
He said “Cabinet reviewed the rapid development surrounding the demise of EZjet and was deeply dismayed at this outcome; the outcome of an initiative that had such welcomed outputs and held such a promising future” .
For Guyanese the wave of low cost airfares to foreign destinations was directly attributed to the entry of EZjet, which was licenced to operate in many other locations.
Responding to statements reportedly made by officials from the air carrier to the effect that Government did nothing to assist the company and showed preference for Caribbean Airlines, the HPS reminded that EZjet was here because of this Administration and explained that competition is a well-known feature not only in the aviation sector but in many other sectors as well.
“The Administration’s concern was essentially access to the airways at affordable prices…we wanted more airlines flying to Guyana offering fares that were competitive…I don’t feel that this criticism should be laid at the feet of this Administration because indeed it has been responsive to first and foremost to Guyanese.”
He further explained that Caribbean Airlines is a national institution owned by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, which provides it with subsidised fuel, a matter that was also criticised by EZjet.
He further noted that the Government of Guyana could not have provided EZjet with such a subsidy as it would have created an uneven playing field for the other carriers.
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