CANCELLATION OF NIGHT FLIGHTS--GUYANA

UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 000395 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: EAIR OTRA GY SUBJECT: CANCELLATION OF NIGHT FLIGHTS--GUYANA ¶1. On April 26, the Cheddi Jagan Airport Authority announced the cancellation of night flights at Timehri airport due to an equipment malfunction. CJIA officials reported that the barometer in the control tower was giving inaccurate readings, which could affect arriving flights' altimeters; this prompted the visual flight restrictions. ¶2. The Minister of Transport, Harry Narine Nawbatt, announced that officials are in contact with the appropriate U.S. firm to replace the US$11,000 equipment, and normal operations are expected to resume by Saturday. ¶3. Currently, only British West Indies Airlines (BWIA) operates flights that arrive and depart at night. The company has issued a statement notifying passengers of the cancellation or rescheduling of flights. Post will continue to monitor the situation. SANDS