Hamilton wins Guyana flights
By Hamilton Spectator Staff
The Hamilton Spectator
Area residents will soon have another international destination to choose from when flying out of the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport.
Federal Transport Minister Jean Lapierre announced last week Canada has concluded its first air transport agreement with Guyana.
It gives Canadian airlines the right to serve Georgetown, capital of the South American country, with scheduled service. It also satisfies Guyanese interest in gaining access to the Hamilton airport.
Prior to this agreement, air service between the countries operated on a charter basis only.
Universal Airlines, Guyana's national carrier, expressed interest last June in flying in and out of Hamilton.
An estimated 200,000 Guyanese live in Canada, with half of them within the Golden Horseshoe.
Although details still have to be worked out, Hamilton airport officials were pleased with the agreement.
"It opens up the route," said Richard Koroscil, chief executive officer of the airport.
"Any Canadian or Guyanese carrier can fly it. Any opportunity we get into a new market is a big step for us and we look forward to that."
Airlines currently leave Hamilton for out of country destinations in Florida, Cuba, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. The airport once hosted Nationair, which flew to Britain.
Through the Calgary airport and via WestJet, residents can fly to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Palm Springs.
Koroscil said he thinks Hamilton is being considered over Pearson airport in Toronto by some airlines because, "we cost a whole lot less than Toronto -- landing and terminal fees."
Transport Canada said each country can allocate, to designated airlines, a total of four flights per week for passenger services and three flights a week for cargo.
It's expected scheduled air services by one or more Canadian airlines will be introduced as early as this summer, but Koroscil stressed nothing is definite yet.
"We still have to get the carriers firmed up and we don't have that yet."
Universal has proposed serving the new route with a Boeing 767-300 with 232 seats. Twenty-one would be in first class.
Transport Canada spokesman Brian McGregor said if airlines wanted to fly to a Canadian airport other than Hamilton, the agreement would have to be amended.
He said Ottawa was "very happy" with the agreement.
"It's a good thing when we expand our air service," McGregor said.
"It's a positive thing for both sides."
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