GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC—The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) sought to assure the public that special authorization was granted to a private aviation company based in Costa Rica to use its airspace on Sunday.
The assurance was given because several foreign helicopters that were earlier in the day seen flying in the country’s airspace raised concerns.
The authorization granted by the GCAA permitted a fleet of three ultralight aircraft to traverse Guyanese airspace on their journey from Suriname to Trinidad and Tobago.
The GCAA, as the governing body charged with regulating and overseeing all aerial navigation and aviation operations within the nation’s airspace, indicated that all background checks were conducted before granting expressed consent and authorization for the aircraft’s passage through Guyana’s sovereign airspace. “The GCAA meticulously reviewed the flight plans, aircraft specifications, and credentials of the pilots before granting the necessary approvals, ensuring full compliance with all relevant safety protocols and international aviation standards,” the Authority said.
The trio of nimble, lightweight planes commenced their voyage on Saturday, departing from Suriname at 09:29 AM (local time).
The GCAA added that following a three-hour flight, the ultralights landed at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport at 12:29 PM (local time).
After a brief overnight layover, the GCAA said the aircraft ascended into the skies Sunday morning to embark upon the final stretch of their aerial odyssey, flying in formation to Trinidad and Tobago.
According to the regulatory agency, that transit agreement underscores Guyana’s commitment to fostering regional cooperation and facilitating the smooth flow of civilian air traffic while simultaneously upholding the integrity of its borders and national security interests.
Concerns about the aircraft on several Facebook accounts came just a week after a Venezuelan military patrol vessel entered Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone and communicated with several oil sector vessels operating on behalf of ExxonMobil in the Stabroek Block under license or permission from Guyana.
A radio message erroneously informed the vessels that they were illegally in Venezuelan waters, which were disputed with Guyana.
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