GEORGETOWN, Guyana — JAGS Aviation has reduced airfares to Guyana’s hinterland in response to a public call by President Irfaan Ali for local carriers to pass on cost savings from improved aviation infrastructure to passengers.
President Ali announced earlier this week that the government is moving to lower domestic airfares, citing substantial public investments in upgraded airstrips that have reduced operating costs for airlines serving interior regions.
The appeal followed the commissioning of the upgraded Paramakatoi Airstrip, a $800 million project that replaces a former grass strip with a 2,500-foot paved runway. The modern facility is expected to improve safety, reliability and efficiency for flights into Region Eight.
In response, JAGS Aviation confirmed that it has already reduced fares on several hinterland routes and is examining additional measures to further lower costs for passengers. The airline said the reductions are intended to ensure that communities directly benefit from government investments in aviation infrastructure.
Industry officials say lower airfares are expected to ease the cost of living in hinterland regions by reducing transportation expenses for passengers and cargo, while also improving access to healthcare, education and economic opportunities.
The government has maintained that improved hinterland connectivity is a key pillar of its national development strategy, aimed at ensuring that growth and investment extend beyond the coastland and reach all 10 administrative regions.
President Ali has repeatedly urged private sector operators to align with the government’s “One Guyana” vision by ensuring that development gains translate into practical benefits for citizens, particularly those in remote and previously underserved communities.