KINGSTON - Government is pushing for the pursuit of investigations into the terror threat made to Caribbean Airlines, Guyana Flight 484, Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn told the National Assembly yesterday.
On February 7, the CAL office in Barbados received, via telephone, a threat to its 784 flight that was scheduled to travel today (February 10) out of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). “We have asked through the security operatives for contacts to pursue an investigation, to be pursued in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and if possible too in the United States of America with respect to putting at rest to determine who made the threat and its specific nature,” Minister Benn said.
The threat seemly emanated from a person with a Trinidadian accent, who rang off immediately when pressed for more information and this caused the airport to be put on high alert, Minister Benn said.
He explained that immediately following the threat that the security system and operatives and officials in CAL system and also in Guyana were alerted, and the highest level of the government. The matter was discussed at the level of Government at a meeting on February 8, but immediately on the day of the threat at 14:00hrs at a high level security meeting, the matter was assessed and measures put in place.
The heightened security posterior at CJIA, included a 100 percent screening of passengers and areas to ensure there was no sabotage with respect to that and any other flights, the Minister said. The result of the effort was that the flight departed without incident, but with some delay, due to extra screening from the airport. The flight, which also suffered a 13 percent reduction in passenger, landed successfully at Miami International Airport.
The heightened security will remain in place for the upcoming days, Minister Benn said.
KINGSTON - The Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the Ministry of Publics Works were advised of a ‘threat’ received by Caribbean Airlines and immediately convened a high level security meeting with relevant security agencies and stakeholders of the airport.
The officials assessed the threat and put in place a number of measures to prevent any untoward occurrence.
The Ministry and CJIA have since adopted the highest security posture to protect passengers, crew, aircraft and airport employees and to ensure the continued smooth and safe operations at the airport.
Passengers and other airport users are asked to be on the lookout for any suspicious activities or occurrences and report same to an airport security official.
A heightened security posture will remain in place over a number of days until such time as the threat is no longer deemed valid.
TIMEHRI - Despite the crafty ways drugs peddlers use to smuggle illegal substances through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) – the security agencies continue their pursuit to cripple the narco-trade.
To this end, two passengers were nabbed separately on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the Timehri aerodrome with approximately 20 kilogrammes of cocaine found in tamarind achar.
At 15:45h, the baggage of 77 year-old Winston Blake, a United States of America citizen, unearthed two packages of achar. The cocaine - over 10 kilos - was concealed in tamarind seeds.
Similarly, Guyanese citizen, Sadeeka Odie, 38, was apprehended around 17:10h after packages of achar with cocaine in the shape of tamarind seeds were also found. She was travelling with her nine year-old daughter.
Both passengers were enroute to New York City on Caribbean Airlines. The seizures of the illegal substance are the first for February.
In January, a Canadian citizen was caught with 9.5 kilogrammes of cocaine while in-transit at CJIA. He flew from Trinidad and Tobago. The drugs were discovered in false walls in his checked luggage.
Meanwhile, the Law Enforcement Agencies must be lauded for these detections which saw the cocaine being cleverly made in the form of tamarind seed and placed in achar.
It is a stark reminder of the lengths at which those involve in the narco-trade would go to move the drugs through our ports.
In the past, drugs were concealed in pepper sauce, star-apple, pumpkin, cabbage, chowmein, ochro, false walls and bottoms of suitcases, shoe soles, wigs among others.
KINGSTON - The Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIAC) has raked in over one billion dollar in revenue for 2013, according to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramesh Ghir at a press conference held this afternoon, January 31, 2014 at Minister Robeson Benn’s office.
The presser was to allow the Minister and heads of agencies/departments to give an overview of 2013 and projections for 2014.
Aerodrome Charges and Concession amounted to nearly 40 percent of the Timehri facility’s $1,077,314,910 purse. Rounding up the list are Taxi, Red Caps and Car Park fees, Fuel Dispensary and Land Lease.
The financial performance came as no surprise since three airlines – Travel Span, Fly Jamaica and CONVIASA - have begun operations during the latter part of the year.
“Delta pulling out was a blow to us but we are making a slow recovery,” Mr. Ghir stated. However, he is optimistic that in 2014 the Corporation’s performance will “be exceptional.”
TIMEHRI - CONVIASA launched its first direct commercial flight to Guyana Saturday January 25, 2014.
The Venezuelan based carrier will be operating twice weekly flights to Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) – out of Puerto Ordaz where a large Guyanese community is based.
“COVIASAs investment to the country’s aviation sector is a massive step for us,” stated Robeson Benn, Minister for Transport. “It has always been our goal to have our travelling public appreciate new destinations at competitive prices.”
CONVIASA has been on a major expansion in Venezuela, South America and the Caribbean – Guyana is the company’s 10th international destination.
CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramesh Ghir stated that CONVIASA’s presence is a one step closer in Public Works/CJIA’s plan to transform the Timehri facility into the ‘next generation hub’.
“I predict that CJIA will become a powerhouse in the foreseeable future. Hence the need for the airport expansion,” he added.
On November 24, 2013, CONVIASA’s President Luis Gustavo Graterol Caraballo, at an inaugural flight ceremony at CJIA, expressed gratitude to Guyana for affording the airline the opportunity to expand its commercial operations.
TIMEHRI – American R&B singer John Legend touched down this morning, January 3, 2014 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) – a day ahead of the highly anticipated “Night of Love Concert”.
He was accompanied by a five member entourage including his wife, Chrissy Teigen an American model.
He will share the spotlight with iconic Reggae singer Beres Hammond on January 4 at the Guyana National Stadium.
The nine times Grammy Award winner, whose songs include ‘Green light and Ordinary People’, was whisked away by security without speaking to anyone.
Meanwhile, Hammond arrived last evening. His plethora of hits includes ‘Rockaway’ and ‘They Gonna Talk’.
Hits and Jams Entertainment and McNeal Enterprise are the organizers of the show.
TIMEHRI - Gifts? Check. Candies? Check. Santa and his sleigh? Check. The key ingredients for a spectacular Santa parade and for over three and a half hours on Friday, December 20, 2013 children of all ages were treated by Santa and his many helpers courtesy of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
It is the third year that the airport’s staff has pulled off the family oriented event.
The fun-filled parade kicked off from Kaylee’s Gas station, Coverden and made its way to CJIA’s cricket ground, Timehri. Over 1,000 gifts were handed out as well as a wide assortment of candies and Santa hats.
Two Santa Clauses “turned up” for the occasion. While onewas perched on his sleigh surrounded by his helpers, the other showed off his dancing moves along the route and even enquired from children if they were naughty or nice.
Prior to the parade, one of the Santas and his beautiful sidekick Mrs. Clause distributed gifts, candies and Santa hats to children in the Timehri North area.
Ramesh Ghir, CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) was impressed with the euphoric atmosphere.
“It was a gratifying experience. It is priceless to see children glowing when they see Santa and his helpers on the sleigh. The gifts, sweets, cakes and hats were an added bonus for them,” he said.
Meanwhile, over 500 plus children, many accompanied by their parents, converged at the junction of the Timehri Police Station anxiously awaiting their treats. According to Mr. Ghir, the planning committee had not anticipated such large turnout at every street corner along the roadway.
A mini concert was held at the ground with some of CJIA’s staff revealing their “hidden” talents including singing, dancing and poetry reading. One of country’s upcoming artistes, Jovinski, wrapped up the evening’s event in song.
Candy Corner, Thrill Drinks, Roti Hut, New Timehri Handling Service, Digicel, Shawnee Service Station, Deokie Gas Station, Basheer and Sons Trucking Service, Loncke Variety Store, Chico Sweets and Kaylee’s Gas Station made the event a “rocking success”.
The airport’s CEO also commended his hard working staff, many of whom remained after working hours, to wrap the copious amounts of gifts.
TIMEHRI – Tenesha Trotman and Vanessa Narine represented the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) when they appeared on Channel 11 – one of the country’s premiere television stations – to promote the airport’s annual Christmas parade.
The duo captivated viewers’ with their wit and charm on the GUYANA TODAY programme on December 19, 2013.
The Santa parade commences from Kaylee’s gas station, Coverden to CJIA, after which a mini concert is planned.
They also highlighted some of CJIA’s community related activities which include distribution of books, painting road signages, opening its field to school and family events and building guard huts for several schools in the Timehri environs.
TIMEHRI - Black cake is synonymous with Guyana’s culture during the Christmas holidays, and passengers arriving at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) this morning, December 16 were in for tasty treats.
A little after 9 a.m., two Caribbean Airlines aircraft touched down and were greeted by the CJIA’s Customer Service Representatives (CSRs); DDL ‘El Dorado ladies’; Edward Beharry ‘Chico man’ and his beautiful helpers, as well as, Windsor Estates and Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) ‘black cake’ ladies for the meet and greet event.
Santa hats will also be distributed.
Not to be outdone, CJIA’s Santa and his personal one man band kept the festive momentum going with their own brand of uniqueness. As usual, the duo was a massive hit with the children.
Meanwhile, the students of Success Elementary choir gave youthful yet masterful renditions of Christmas carols while the Republican Steel Orchestra added that ‘pan’ touch of class.
According to Indranauth Haralsingh, director of GTA, there is no Christmas like the one in Guyana.
“It is very proud moment to greet passengers in this style and fashion and it is only Christmas time [we do this] but other major Guyana celebrations including Mashramani, Easter, Phawah, Emancipation and Diwali….this make CJIA unique and one of the friendliest airports in this part of the world,” he added.
The annual meet and greet concludes on December 24.
The Oasis Café, DDL, Windsor Estates, and Friendly’s Restaurant and Bar, Bakewell, Digicel, Candy Corner; Edward Beharry, the Caribbean International Distributors Inc. (CIDI) are on board to make the litany of activities a remarkable and memorable one.
In keeping with the holiday spirit, the airport’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramesh Ghir said that the CJIA’s annual parade, now in its sixth year, will take place on December 20.
“We have a number of sponsors with us, and we will take the opportunity to go into the Timehri North area and share out some gifts,” he told reporters.
He also introduced the airport’s three Customer Service Representatives (CSRs). The unit was established two and half months ago with the view of improving the quality of services offered.
“These persons are on the ground to assist passengers with any concerns whether it be challenges with immigration forms, baggage, [or] if they need a telephone,” Ghir disclosed.
On the security front, the CEO expressed his confidence “that all will be well” since security has heightened.
TIMEHRI - “We are all about providing quality service, untimed performance and excellent prices,” stated David Gooberdhan, a top Travelspan official shortly after the Boeing 767 landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on December 14, 2013.
With 229 persons on board – including 180 passengers and 10 crew members - the airline joins Venezuelan CONVIASA as the two newest airlines to ply the Guyana route.
This, according to Minister of Public Works and Transport Hon. Robeson Benn, augurs well for the aviation sector.
“We are making inroads hence the need for a new terminal building. With all the airlines I envision that will be touching down at CJIA - the passenger flow will be boosted significantly,” Minister Benn stated.
Meanwhile, the airport’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ramesh Ghir expressed his appreciation to the airline’s officials for their confidence in returning to Guyana.
The 18 year-old company, with head office based in the United States of America, had halted charted flights in 2008.
