Georgetown: TravelSpan recently announced that a Block Seat Agreement to serve the Guyanese travelling to and from the United States has been reached with Dynamic Airways which is scheduled to recommence operations on November 23.
Recently, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) has granted approval for Dynamic Airways, a US Carrier to operate services to Guyana and a variety of destinations in South America.
TravelSpan Chief Executive Officer Nohar Singh said: “The Block Agreement will give the company the additional seats for the holidays, and Air and Hotel Packages for its valued customers. With over 19 years in business TravelSpan has always fought to secure affordable travel options for the travelling public and for the people of Guyana, Singh said.
He added that the TravelSpan staff and management will continue to operate at full capacity, with its Queens, New York Office being open seven days a week to offer a much-needed solution within the market using this new block seat arrangement.
With the new arrangements, the company is offering a special fare for the first flight, $499 round trip, tax included. Those who wish to book with TravelSpan can contact the airline at travelspan.com or follow it on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. Persons can also contact the office at 718-845-0437.
Despite the commercial arrangements between the two airlines, Guyana Times understands that no approval has been given to Dynamic to operate out the John F Kennedy International (JFK) Airport. Likewise, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is yet to be formally contacted on the new arrangements or provided with any documents to this effect.
Benn on Friday alluded to the “buzz” in the press about the two airlines returning to Guyana, but said he was unaware of such developments. He said that the Government was concerned over the fly-by-night airlines that operate during the peak season and disappear afterwards.
Earlier in the month, Dynamic Airways Chief Operating Officer (COO) Bill Gray said, “The airline is planning to resume regular flights between New York and Georgetown, Guyana late next month, as well as inaugurate service between Orlando and destinations in Brazil, Canada, and the US.”
He added that the flights to Georgetown last summer revealed a tremendous need for reliable, quality air service. Since that time, Dynamic has undergone a substantial internal reorganisation with new management and a new focus on its product and service.
Starting late November, Gray added, Guyanese travellers will have the opportunity to experience comfort and the quality of air service that they deserve. The proposed DOT- approved flights are expected to depart JFK International Airport, Terminal One at 01:00h on November 22, 2014. Flights will continue on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Suspended
Both airlines had pulled out of the Guyanese market following tremendous difficulties with respect to operations here and in the Unites States. Dynamic Airways entered the Guyanese market in June, but after a few flights, suspended services after it was unable to operate out of the JFK. The service was expected to resume on August 18, but more challenges had surfaced. According to the airline, this temporary suspension would have allowed the company to secure time slots at JFK Airport, organise better ground handling and check-in processes, as well as secure schedule integrity.
TravelSpan, on the other hand, re-entered the local aviation sector last December with fully-booked flights to the United States out of Guyana, but stumbled in July of this year, with several cancellations which resulted in a dispute with its charter company, Vision Airlines. Just before its pull-out, TravelSpan had applied to the GCAA for permission to operate a scheduled service, moving away from the charter service it was licensed to provide. Officials at the airline had told this newspaper that the move to acquire such a licence basically indicated that TravelSpan was here for the long haul.
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