Broken Runway Lighting on Guyana airport causes LIAT problems

Georgetown; Guyana: Over the last two weeks, the runway lighting system at Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Georgetown, Guyana has failed a number of times. This has caused a number of LIAT flights to be stranded at the airport or unable to operate during the hours of darkness or bad weather.  LIAT has now been advised that the runway lighting system is currently totally inoperative and no date has been set for them to be repaired.

As a consequence, LIAT has had to look at rescheduling some of its flights to avoid night-time operation for the remainder of the summer period. This will affect not only the flights to/from Georgetown, but will have a knock-on effect on other flights out of Grenada, St. Vincent and Port-of-Spain.

Mark Darby, CEO of LIAT, stated “while I understand that every effort is being made to fix the runway lights at Cheddi Jagan, I am very concerned at the impact the inability to operate at night will have on our operation – especially given the uncertainty over when they will be repaired.  Of particular concern is the possible impact on the CARIFESTA taking place next week.  Given the uncertainty of the timing of the repairs, we have decided to change our schedule for the remainder of the summer period. I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but hope that those affected will understand that it is entirely out of our control”. ~~Adz:Right~~