New Delhi: Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill, MP and the con Saturday signed an Air Services Agreement (ASA), which allows for easier travel between the two nations. The agreement was signed in the presence of India’s Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar, who is on a three-day visit to Guyana; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Elizabeth Harper; Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Lt Col (retd) Egbert Field, and other technical officials from India and Guyana.
The signing of the agreement is in keeping with the government’s commitment to connecting Guyana with the rest of the world and will complement the more than 50 Air Services Agreements Guyana has established with other ICAO states for the development of the air-link amongst states.
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The agreement promotes international air services between the two countries and an international aviation system based on competition among airlines. The agreement addresses pertinent matters such as grant of rights; designation and authorization of airlines; revocation or suspension of operating authorisation, principles governing the operations of agreed services, application of laws, user charges, customs duties and charges, aviation safety, aviation security, commercial opportunities, cooperative marketing arrangements among other areas.
This will open investment opportunities and caters to Guyanese-owned airlines to have direct market access to international airports in India and vice versa. India has an emerging and growing aviation sector. Presently, there is no direct flight between Guyana and India, however, this agreement puts in place the legal framework that opens market access for airlines of both countries to operate and enhance competitive air transport services, trade and economic growth between the two nations. Guyana and India have enjoyed good diplomatic relations since Guyana gained independence in May 1966.
