The Third Global Regional Safety Oversight Organizations (RSOOs) and Regional Accident and Incident Investigation Organizations (RAIOs) forum for aviation safety opened in Guyana today. 

The Forum for Aviation Safety has brought together representatives of the two international organisations, member states, industry leaders and the International Civil Aviation Organisaton to deliberate on regional cooperation in aviation safety and accident and incident investigations.

Addressing the opening of the forum, President Irfaan Ali said aviation safety should not be compromised, noting that the aviation sector remains one of the safest for transportation.

“That is why Aviation safety is not something that can be taken for granted, a country or airline can have an impeccable record, stretching back for years, however, that record is not a permanent guarantee. Aviation is an unforgiving industry, it takes years to build a repution for safety but only one serious lap in standards to destroy it,” the President stated.

He said Guyana is currently building out the aviation sector, which has already shown returns in an increase of passenger arrivals.

“In Guyana, our aviation sector is in take off mode, we are climbing and the numbers tell their own story or assent over the past five year. Weekly seats have more than doubled, increasing by 171% from 12,952 to 35, 160 over the pass five years. International passenger travel grew by 410% from 205,000 to more than million now,” the President said.

Domestically, the President said passenger travel grew by 121%, from 120,000 to 267,000 while the number of international flights has increased by more than 100%.

Meanwhile, Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar, said the vision of the country’s aviation sector is to increase connectivity between Guyana and the rest of the world.

“Our vision is to ensure better connectivity between Guyana and the rest of the world, is to make Guyana regional hub for aviation. Our vision is to also ensure that we have full compliance with the recommended practice by ICAO. Our vision, is to build a safer sky and to utilized the lessons learned from the pass and from our partners,” Mr. Indar said.

Director General of Guyana’s Civil Aviation Authority Egbert Field said the country’s aviation story is one of remarkable success.

“The aviation sector is expanding, its expanding rapidly and since 2020, the number air operators have grown, it has quadrupled in both passenger carriage and also cargo.  Passenger movement have surpassed a million and for a small country like Guyana with less than a million people, and to have passenger movement over a million is something we should applaud,” Mr. Fields said.

The three-day forum will serve as a platform to exchange experiences, discuss emerging challenges, and identify strategic priorities.

Discussions will include the contributions of regional mechanisms in supporting States’ oversight and accident investigation obligations and the resources required to ensure their continued sustainability. 

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