UK Gov’t charters flight for 91 British nationals to return home from Guyana

The UK Government chartered an Air Europa flight on Thursday to transport 91 UK nationals who were stuck in Guyana following the closure of airports on March 17.

The UK had sought approval to operate a special flight from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) to London for British tourists, short term visitors and their direct dependants to return to the UK.

The UK High Commission in Guyana in a statement on Friday noted that the repatriation flight was approved by Guyana’s National Covid-19 Taskforce.

British High Commissioner Greg Quinn and team were at the airport to wish those departing a safe flight and to thank them for their patience as we arranged this charter.

“We are grateful to the relevant Guyanese authorities, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Corporation, and the New Timehri Handling Service Inc. for their support in facilitating and arranging this flight.  We would also like to thank the crew of the Air Europa aircraft who operated the flight,” the statement from the High Commission noted.

Guyana closed all ports of entry on March 17 in an effort to curb the importation of COVID-19 cases. It has also implemented a curfew from 18:00hrs to 6:00hrs and restrictions on the movement of persons unless absolutely necessary.

Several other countries including the United States and Canada have chartered flights to return their citizens home.