JetBlue delays inaugural flight citing COVID-19 pandemic

—Postponed to October 2020

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, March 18, 2020

As airlines around the world cut back on flights amid the COVID-19 pandemic, JetBlue Airways has indicated there will be a delay to its debut flight to Guyana. This was revealed by Minister of Public Infrastructure Hon. David Patterson during a COVID-19 National Update programme on NCN News.

Originally set for April 2, 2020, JetBlue intended to take to the skies aboard its newly sourced A321neo aircraft for Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) with its crew and passengers from JFK, New York.

Minister Patterson stated the major US airline has postponed its inaugural flight to October 2020.

On Tuesday, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority, (Ret’d) Lt. Col. Egbert Field confirmed both of the country’s major airports – the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the Eugene F. Correia International Airport- will be closed to international flights as of midnight on March 18, 2020.

This measure was taken to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Both airports will permit outgoing, cargo and medivac flights, in addition to technical stops by aircraft that rely on fuel services. Special authorised flights will also be given the green light.

While local flights within the country to the various Administrative Regions will continue, the Public Infrastructure Minister said passengers should adhere to the health guidelines provided by the Ministry of Public Health to be protected from the virus.

As of Tuesday, March 17, Guyana has five confirmed cases of COVID-19 infections. His Excellency President David Granger has issued several measures to be implemented by the Ministry of Public Health and other authorities to protect Guyanese from the pandemic.

These measures are in accordance with the provisions of the Public Health Ordinance Act (Cap. 145) and the country’s Constitution.