President Dr. Irfaan Ali has hailed the official launch of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ non-stop flights from Guyana and the Netherlands as a monumental step forward in Guyana’s transformation into a global aviation and economic hub.
The airline will operate the new route twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays, starting June 04, 2025, with an Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
This airlines now offer access to 21 destinations in the United Kingdom and over 140 other destinations beyond Amsterdam.
Speaking at the launch event on Tuesday, President Ali praised KLM’s entry into the Guyanese market as not just an airline expansion, but a “powerful validation” of Guyana’s growing economic stature and its ambition to serve as a key connector between South America, Europe, and beyond.
“This is no ordinary occasion,” the President declared. “It is a celebration of connectivity, a celebration of confidence, and a celebration of Guyana’s ascension as a premier destination and transit point in the global aviation sector.”
President Ali said that this connection would open doors for trade, tourism, and cargo, enhancing Guyana’s position as a logistics and investment gateway.
“This is not just about a flight,” he stated. “It is about creating new opportunities for our agri-processing industries, our exporters, our tourism stakeholders, and our overall economic ecosystem.”
Citing data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), President Ali noted that Guyana’s air transport sector already contributes approximately US$160 million to GDP and supports over 5,200 direct jobs.
The industry has quietly evolved into a significant engine of growth, transporting over 13,000 tonnes of cargo annually and serving nearly 857,000 passengers in 2023, up from just 182,000 four years ago.
“The numbers speak for themselves,” Ali said. “And they are driving us to an ambitious goal—supporting 3 million passengers annually by 2030.”
To meet this ambition, President Ali outlined an integrated national strategy, encompassing the construction of a new Terminal 2 at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the expansion of road infrastructure for quicker airport-city connections, and the digitisation of immigration and resident services through electronic passports, ID cards, and healthcare integration.
“This is real policy-making,” he declared. “This is the hard work behind the scenes—building an ecosystem that supports ambitious goals.”
President Ali made it clear that KLM is viewed as a strategic partner, not just a foreign airline operating in Guyana.
“You are adding 38,000 new seats annually to our market. We must ensure we pull those seats through smart marketing and tourism strategies,” he said. “Our job is to help make your investment here successful and profitable.”
He thanked the Civil Aviation Authority, the Ministry of Tourism, and local aviation teams for their behind-the-scenes work, crediting them for attracting 11 carriers and expanding Guyana’s international connections from six destinations to 16 in just four years.
Looking ahead, President Ali called on KLM to explore making Guyana its secondary hub for operations in South America and West Africa, given the country’s ideal geographic location.
“We are ready to work with you. We are ready to give you the incentives. We are ready to help you make Guyana your next hub,” he said, appealing to KLM’s long-term strategic vision.
The President also announced plans to invest heavily in aviation education and training, including pilot certification, aeronautical engineering, and aviation management.
