The movement of oil sector workers from Europe to Guyana is a key driver for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ decision to serve the Georgetown-Amsterdam route beginning Wednesday, Public Works Minister Deodat Indar said.
He told a reception held on Tuesday to mark KLM’s return here since the 1980s, that the airline would be a major airbridge for mainly offshore marine captains, drillers, and engineers. “Most of the workers that work offshore, they come through Eastern Europe, they come through Amsterdam, and they come down to Guyana,” he said. Mr Indar said before KLM’s service, the workers came to Guyana via London or through New York. “That makes the economic model for KLM to come to Guyana a viable one,” he said.
Mr Indar also welcomed the fact that KLM’s wide-bodied aircraft would be coming to Guyana through St Maarten and Barbados to pick up passengers before flying direct from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri to Amsterdam Airport, Schiphol in The Netherlands. “That will give our Guyanese folks at least the kind of experience that our neighbour Suriname is having for decades that we could not have had, could not have enjoyed,” the minister said.Guyanese history booksFlight tickets
The Netherlands Ambassador to Guyana, Walter Oostelbos credited Dr Ali with being very instrumental in KLM’s decision by using the “developments in the oil and gas sector to really open your country to foreign investors.”
KLM’s Regional Manager for the Dutch Caribbean, Guyana and Suriname, Dirk Buitelaar, in his remarks, said Guyana, a country of “growing global significance” was capturing the world’s attention. “As Guyana experiences remarkable growth, especially in energy, eco-tourism and infrastructure, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is proud to be a bridge for business, for tourism and for diplomatic opportunities,” he said. He said the carrier would also serve Guyana’s diaspora in Europe.
President Irfaan Ali said KLM’s service would contribute to Guyana being also able to move cargo such as agro-processed products and produce in “a more efficient way” throughout the Caribbean. He said KLM would add 38,000 seats annually to Guyana’s market, which means that “we have to work with you to see how we can fill those seats, how we can ensure that we optimally utilise those seats” through a supportive tourism marketing strategy…
