North American Airlines objects to GA 2000 landing in US --first flight for Toronto By Desiree Jodah Stabroek News June 11, 1999 Guyana Airways 2000 (GA 2000) will take to the skies on June 17, in its new colours of red, gold and blue, despite objections by North American Airlines. North American Airlines has filed an objection with the United States Department of Transportation against GA 2000's right to land in that country. At a press conference hosted by the new company at its head office in Main Street, Chairman Yesu Persaud said there was no doubt that the company would have its inaugural flight on June 17. He said that it was particularly disconcerting that as the national carrier was being launched, US charter companies are objecting to its right to land in that country. He said objections were raised by the North American flag carriers that want permission to compete against GA 2000 out of Guyana. Stabroek News understands that North American Airlines is peeved at not having had a positive response from the Guyana Air Transport Board to an application to operate a service here. The application was reportedly made about a month ago. Persaud said the company had no problem with legitimate scheduled airline competition committed to providing year round international service in and out of Guyana. "We welcome and look forward to competing with the best." He said the company has raised the strongest possible objection to charter airlines which pose a financial threat to the very existence of Guyana's national flag carrier, "coming in here only when it suits them to cream the profits off the top of the business and then disappear[ing] leaving the country without any service." Persaud stated that charter airlines were interested only in exploiting the demand for passenger airline traffic out of Guyana at peak periods. According to him, "they indulge in predatory pricing, cutting rates to capture peak passenger traffic and leaving the country without service in leaner periods for the rest of the year. They fly in here, take their profits out of Guyana, make no commitment or investment whatsoever here and leave Guyana without a thought or concern for the development of our own aviation industry. They are not scheduled airlines, but demand the rights of a scheduled airline." Persaud said that to best of his knowledge, since 1981, some 12 charter operations have been appearing in and disappearing from Guyana. Chief Executive Officer of GA 2000, Anthony Mekdeci, said the inaugural flight would depart Guyana for Toronto on Thursday afternoon. He said that if the issue with the US Department Of Transportation is resolved, GA 2000 would fly to New York on June 18. He said the airline's lawyers in the US are working to resolve the issue. Persaud said that BWIA had very recently raised the most forceful objections to the same North American charters threatening BWIA's viability by seeking reciprocity to fly to Trinidad and Tobago. He said the new company would be forging certain relationships with BWIA. GA 2000 passengers are reassured that a back-up aircraft would be available should GA 2000's aircraft encounter any difficulties. A second plane would be considered once the new company gets off the ground, Persaud said. He said that the response to the service has been excellent. According to him, some of the old GAC employees have been rehired. The employees are involved in training and have written an examination conducted by overseas personnel. He said only those who had the aptitude to get the job done were hired. Persaud emphasised that the management of GA 2000 would be done by the Aviation Investment Inc and not by government. Aviation Investment Inc successfully secured a 51 percent share in the company; government holds 49 percent. The local company is made up of several businessmen. The Board of Directors are; Persaud, Vickram Oditt, Michael Correia Jnr, Stanley Ming, Maurice Solomon, Feroze Mohamed, Carole Hebert and Mekdeci. The press conference was shared with the company's Chief Financial Adviser Michael Mc Donagh, Chief cabin attendant Joyce Persaud, accountant Terrence Simon and Secretary to the Board of Directors Karen Whitehead. A © page from: Guyana: Land of Six Peoples