Recommendations for a better air travel experience for Guyanese

Sep 28, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

I am concerned, frequent traveler of Guyanese origin and am very distressed and concerned about how unscrupulous airlines treating all travelers in and out of Guyana.  Please consider my attempt to bring this issue to the forefront, by publishing my letter.

Many Guyanese are faced with a serious problem while traveling to Guyana.  The problem is price gouging by Caribbean Airlines, American Airlines, and JetBlue.  Traveling to Guyana has become unreasonably expensive, not to mention these trips are not all-inclusive.  The cost of a ticket under price gouging is as high as $2000/pp. Guyana is in a better position to bargain with the airline industry.  Mr. President, for a 5.5-hour economy flight a proper meal is not served, you must pay for your luggage, pay for blankets, legroom, pillows, earpieces, if any is available and, in some instances, you may encounter a rude flight attendant.  Guyanese are victims of exorbitant hidden fees.

A few recommendations:

1. Negotiate with the airlines to reduce the airfares and to provide more services.
2. Establish a One Guyana Airline, (now that we are earning from the Oil & Gas Royalties.)
3. Avoid private ownership of international air carriers that can duplicate the current “price gouging.”

Guyana’s tourism is at its best due to significant reduction in crime, improvement in transportation, more trained persons in hospitality, improved domestic air safety.  Also, the tourist destinations are unique, more attractive than many world destinations and quite affordable. To enhance the booming tourism industry, affordable airfare is needed.

Thanking you,

Zarena Ali

• airlines, experience, Guyanese, publishing, treating