Air Services Limited (ASL) is set to construct Guyana’s first Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) facility as the local aviation company expands its operations to meet growing demand associated with the country’s economic development.
The planned facility, according to ASL, is expected to raise the standard of executive aviation services in Guyana, providing dedicated services for business and corporate aircraft. These will include passenger handling, VIP lounges and concierge services, as well as aircraft ground handling, refuelling and flight dispatching.
The facility will also provide specialised mechanical, maintenance and engineering support for corporate aircraft, further strengthening Guyana’s aviation infrastructure.
The FBO forms part of a wider expansion programme by ASL, the company said in a statement on Sunday. It noted that the company has made significant investments in its fleet and operations over the past two years. The company said it has added seven new aircraft to its fleet during this period, representing a multi-million-dollar investment aimed at increasing flight schedules, passenger capacity and the reliability of air transport services across Guyana.
Accountable Manager of ASL, Captain Tarick Ramnarace, said the company’s investment programme reflects its confidence in Guyana’s economic growth and its commitment to supporting national development.
“We strongly believe in the Government’s vision for the economic transformation of Guyana, and ASL is fully committed to playing an active role in driving that momentum,” Ramnarace said. “Our heavy investments demonstrate our complete confidence in the local economy and the administration’s policies. We are happy to invest directly into Guyana’s future,” he noted.
ASL’s expansion comes as the company continues to provide air transport services to communities across the country, particularly in the hinterland. The company currently serves communities spanning Regions One through Ten and provides passenger and cargo transportation to remote areas, including the movement of food and other essential supplies.
The airline also conducts emergency medical evacuation, or medevac, operations across Guyana, providing air transportation for patients in remote communities who require urgent medical care.
In addition to expanding its fleet, ASL has increased its daily flight schedules by as much as 30 per cent, with additional departures being offered across the country to meet increasing demand.
The company’s expansion is also extending into specialised aviation services. Its rotary-wing division is expanding its helicopter fleet to support charter, utility and logistical operations, including those associated with major industrial and offshore projects, the company said in its statement.
ASL is also upgrading its agricultural aviation fleet to increase aerial application capabilities in support of Guyana’s growing and modernising agricultural sector.
The expansion is expected to generate employment opportunities, with ASL projecting the creation of approximately 150 new jobs. The company currently employs more than 300 people, with its workforce drawn from communities across Regions One through Ten.
ASL is also investing in the development of Guyanese aviation professionals by sponsoring local mechanics and pilots and supporting their technical training and flight qualifications through its accredited training programmes.
According to the company, the initiative is intended to strengthen the local aviation workforce by ensuring that more Guyanese professionals are trained to operate, maintain and support the country’s expanding aviation sector.
With more than five decades of experience connecting hinterland communities with urban centres, ASL said its current expansion builds on its longstanding role in Guyana’s aviation industry.
The company is also laying the groundwork for future regional charter services as demand for international and business travel continues to grow.
“We have successfully connected our hinterland communities to the rest of Guyana,” Ramnarace said. “Now, as we sponsor the next generation of local pilots and mechanics, construct our new FBO, and prepare for regional charters, we are taking the next major step forward in Guyana’s aviation history. This expansion is just the beginning.”
Source: NEW ROOMS SITE
