|
Aircraft seizure proposal an Int’l measure of collecting fees—Ogle AirportTwo days after angry aircraft operators formed their own association following the release of a ‘draconian’ document by Ogle Airport management that could potentially threaten their livelihood, Chairman of Ogle Airport Inc. (OAI) Michael Correia Jr. has debunked the association’s claims.Chairman of the Ogle Airport Incorporated Michael Correia, with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Anthony Meckdeci.Correia noted that not only are the measures contained in the document in place internationally, but that the document is only in the consideration phase. He also accused the association of peddling half-truths and noted that the document could not even be approved without Guyana’s Civil Aviation Authority’s (GCAA) approval.The new association, the National Air Transport Association (NATA) was formed on Wednesday by nine of the ten local aircraft operators at the airport. Vice President of NATA Capt. Gerry Gouveia had stated that the last straw came with the document, which proposed the seizure of aircraft and properties belonging to local operators should they default on their debts.During a press conference at the Ogle Airport yesterday, Correia told reporters that the Draft Agreement was modeled on the standard terms and conditions governing operators at the London City Airport, United Kingdom and in fact, was in effect around the world.“The provisions in the London City Airport Agreement, with regards to payment of fees and the airport’s lien on operators, liabilities of operators and airport, aircraft and equipment, are virtually identical with those proposed (in the draft agreement).”He further noted that even if a revised document is approved, the agreement cannot be implemented without the approval of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). It must also go through the mandated process. Correia blasted Gouveia for focusing on the Airport Operators’ Agreement that was just in the consideration stage.“Gouveia has proven that (he is) a master of half truths and deliberate deception,” Correia stated. “Gouveia, with the full support of Annette Arjoon-Martins deliberately set out to misrepresent the process through which the draft agreement was prepared and presented to the Board for consideration.”The hangars and aircraft at the Ogle airport.Correia noted that the Airport was “legally advised” of the importance in having such an agreement between the airport and any aircraft operator, setting out the terms and conditions of using the airport. Referring to the minutes of that Board meeting, Correia observed that it was suggested that Government should legislate an Act governing the private airport instead of going forward with the agreement.He also noted that the airport has been losing money for years as operators often owe money and the proposal just examines a way of collecting their fees.“Gouveia would have the country believe that Ogle Airport’s management attempted to force this agreement down the throats of the operators, when exactly the opposite occurred.” This proposal is still to be ratified by all parties involved.Asked what similarities could be drawn from juxtaposing the London City Airport with Ogle International Airport, Chief Executive Officer of OAI Tony Meckdeci noted that both were down town airports, similar in size relative to their country’s size and they were both subject to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations.During the NATA press conference, which was held at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) office on Waterloo Street, the members forming NATA were announced to be Air Services Limited, Roraima Airways, Hinterland Aviation, Oxford Aviation, Wings Aviation, Fenix Aviation, Domestic Airways, Hopkinson Mining Aviation and Jags Aviation. The only abstaining operator was Trans Guyana Airways.The operating agreement,Eduardo Vargas Chile Jersey, seen by Kaieteur News, had indicated that if fees,Cheap Wholesale Jerseys, charges, costs or other liabilities for which a lien (possession of debtor’s property) is exercised remain outstanding, the OAI may deliver by hand to the operator a notice demanding payment within 14 days,CHeap Jerseys USA, to the registered owner of the aircraft at his address.“In the event that payment remains outstanding thereafter, OAI may,Cheap Jerseys, at its entire discretion, sell, dispose of, remove or destroy such aircraft or equipment,” the document had also read.It had added that a lien shall not be lost by reason of the aircraft departing from the Airport but shall continue to be exercisable at any time when the aircraft or any other aircraft or other equipment owned by the Operator has returned to the Airport after having left it for as long as any of the said fees,Cheap NFL Wholesale Jerseys, charges,Carlos Carmona Jersey, costs or other liabilities, whether incurred before or after such departure, remain unpaid. |
|