Capt. Gerry Gouveia, chief executive officer of Roraima Airways, Guyana, and Karen Kraus, interim chief executive officer (CEO) of Greensboro North Carolina, Dynamic International Airways, thanked travel agents and customers for staying with the carrier through turbulent times, and assured customers that the airline is now focused on service recovery that would be seamless.
Speaking to a packed audience at Zen Lounge in Richmond Hill, Queens on Thursday night, March 9, Capt. Gouveia who established the Roraima Group of Companies with wife, Capt. Debra Gouveia 25 years ago, launched Dynamic Airways flights from JFK to GEO, in 2014, but due to delayed flights, the carrier was almost sidelined.
These failures, said Capt. Gouveia were due to the airline’s transitioning from a charter service to a scheduled service.
Dynamic Int. Airways owns a fleet of six Boeing 767 wide-body aircraft, and according to Gouveia, airlifted about, 40,000 passengers from JFK to GEO, and another 39,600 from GEO to JFK, with an 85 percent on time departure schedule, in 2016.
He said the carrier has created 100 jobs in Guyana, pays millions of dollars in taxes and fees, and contributes to Guyana’s economy.
“Dynamic Airways is here to stay,” stated the pilot of 40 years, who pledged that passengers would never be inconvenienced again, while referring to the debacle last Christmas, that prevented hundreds of angry passengers from making it home in time for the holidays.
He apologized for the mishap that delayed passengers at JFK after a 767 plane was truck by a fuel truck. These passengers were flown to their destination with one piece of luggage, after which, an empty 767 flew empty from JFK to retrieve left behind luggage.
“We stumbled, but from January of this year, Dynamic Airways is running five flights a week to Guyana, at a 97 percent on time departure.
“Guyanese – we need Dynamic,” said Capt. Gouveia, outlining a seven-days-a-week, 365-days-a-year schedule to promote tourism in Guyana, in partnership with Roraima Airways.
He said the airline has plans to launch a JFK route to the new 9000 ft. Argyle International Airport in St. Vincent and the Grenadines that was opened on Feb. 14 this year.
Kraus thanked Guyanese for welcoming her back after she unveiled Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary logo on the body of its 767 plane last year, and reminded nationals of the airline’s expansive service plan, stating that it was the most improved foreign air carrier operating with a planned service route to Canada.
“Our company remains committed to the Guyana market and the people of Guyana, who have stood with us during successful times, and our setbacks. For this, we are here to say thank you.”
“We will continue to improve our service in order to up keep the confidence and support of all Guyanese,” said Ms. Kraus, adding that the airline’s ultimate goal was to provide Guyanese with world-class premium choice of in-flight service and the most comfortable flying experience possible.
Kraus said the carrier heard the feedback from customers and was retooling its operations responsive to the needs of their travellers, adding that the company cannot be viable without customers, and will work to streamline its service to meet the needs of all Guyanese.
“Dynamic will keep Guyanese informed about any unscheduled interruptions through all media, low cost and round-trip fares,” said Kraus.
The airline plans to begin service between Georgetown and Toronto in the fourth quarter of 2017, airlifting Guyanese Canadians, who live in Montreal and Southern Ontario.
“Dynamic International Airways deeply appreciates the continued support of the Guyanese people, as well as the confidence of the Guyana government,” said Kraus.
Consul General Barbara Atherly said Dynamic Int. Airways assured Guyanese that they would provide affordable fares and quality service, and noted that the airline will enhance Guyana’s tourism package, to move Guyana further in this vein.
Deputy Ambassador of Guyana to the UN, Troy Torrington, in turn commended Dynamic Int. Airways for its vision and planned expansion, adding that linkages by air transportation were important to Guyana. “Cheers to Dynamic, cheers to Roraima, cheers to Guyana.”
Inga Rhonda King, permanent representative of St. Vincent & the Grenadines to the UN, and St. Vincent Consul General to NY, H.E. Howie M. Prince, both expressed gratitude to Dynamic Int. Airways for its commitment to bring scheduled service to their homeland.
Rickford Burke, chair, Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary Committee NYC welcomed the audience, including, Isis Gonsalves who represented her father, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Florida-based media operative Wesley Kirton served as emcee.
