Stranded Venezuelans to go home Sunday night

Last Updated on Monday, 8 June 2015, 1:24 by GxMedia

The Guyana government on Sunday granted approval for a ‘one-off’ flight by Conviasa airline to pick up more than 40 Venezuelans who were stranded after that carrier was suspended for non-payment of a bond.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson said permission has been granted for the flight to take the passengers back to Venezuela.

That flight was expected to leave Guyana at about 10 PM.

Through the Government Information Agency (GINA), Patterson confirmed that Conviasa’s permission to fly to and from Guyana was suspended because of non-payment of the bond said to be less than US$500,000.

Government said “the airline has never lodged a bond for its operation in Guyana.” That is unlike other carriers that have had to do so to reimburse passengers should their operations experience severe difficulty or shut down altogether. “It is standard procedure that airlines operating out of Guyana would usually have to lodge a bond in case there is a need to cater for passengers affected by issues which may negatively affect their flights in and out of the country,” said government.

Patterson confirmed that Conviasa has paid the monies owed to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority but is still to lodge the bond with the Guyana Government.