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Takes to the Skies By Matie Singh and Annan Boodram |
Though scheduled to leave at 12:15 am, it did not leave until about 1:00am due to a missing passenger, a Mr. Deonarine, which turned out to be a "miscount (over count) on the flight manifest," said Teresa Perkowska, flight supervisor.
Proudly displaying the large green "Universal" emblem, the aircraft arrived at JFK from Poland on Monday evening, and left on its trial flight to Guyana that very evening. Returning that following Wednesday afternoon, it again took off with about 10 crew members and 147 passengers, which included members of the Guyanese press, several prominent travel agents, businessmen, and the wife of Prime Minister, Sam Hinds.
Though there is visible excitement about the new airline, Universal is definitely in need of a number of creature comforts that make a trip a total experience.
"We need kettles to prepare teas, baskets for bread and ice containers," said Perkowska. That could be a highly detracting factor, when combined with things like "not having enough orange juice, no alcoholic beverages, and no in-flight reading material."
For this particular flight the consisted of pork and fish for business class, while chicken and vegetables dinner was offered in economy class. Catering is provided by a Guyanese company.
As the aircraft descended through the thick mountain of white clouds, champagne was served in celebration of yet one more "historical moment for Guyana."
And as the aircraft landing gear slammed onto Guyana's Cheddi Jagan International airport runway, the rattling from the aircraft's ceiling, and the bumpy landing, well known, to seasoned travelers were hardly mentioned.
Universal flies nonstop three times a week to Guyana, on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays. It stops in Trinidad only on Thursdays and Sundays on its morning flights. Baggage allowance is two pieces with a maximum weight of 70 pounds each with the possibility of extra luggage being accommodated on a paying basis. Hand luggage cannot exceed 15 pounds.
The Boeing 767-300 aircraft which is leased from Polish Airlines is relatively new by airline standards, being just six years old. It carries 225 economy and 18 first class, plush blue and green-patterned seats and offers more legroom than current aircrafts servicing the Caribbean.
Universal Airlines is owned by two New York businesswomen, Mrs. Chandrawattie Harpaul, wife of Guyanese restaurant magnate, Ronnie Harpaul and Mrs Rameshrie Singh.
The company is headed by Sudarshan Singh, an airplane mechanic with over twenty years of experience. Mr. Singh had headed a group of investors that bid on the now defunct Guyana Airways but they had lost out to a group of local Guyanese investors. Vice-President for Sales is Mark DeFreitas who also has over twenty years of experience in operations in the industry.
Mr. Singh also disclosed that the company plans to fly to Suriname and Margarita and to use Miami as another gateway to the Caribbean in addition to New York. He also spoke of plans to expand with timely connections into Brazil, the United Kingdom, Venezuela and Canada in a "structured but fun" service.
Clearly Universal Airline has a lot of plans. But it will have its work cut out to win back passengers from the two carriers that currently serve Guyana - North American Airlines and BWIA.
According to Mr. Singh Universal Airlines plans to become quite competitive. In addition to extra legroom and luggage, the aircraft offers inflight movies and expects its inflight service to match if not exceed the industry standard. Some 45 Guyanese are currently being trained as crew members by a Polish team.
Meanwhile its lower airfares about $90 - $125 lower according to some travel agents spoken to - is a good start. But on the flip side the company already seems to be making some of the mistakes made by Guyana Airways - sacrificing professionalism as a means of saving a few dollars.
Given the competition and challenges that face the airline industry in general, Universal Airlines would need to implement a powerful public relations and marketing strategy. Such a strategy can only be charted by an experiences public relations/marketing professional. Already there are indications that use of a non-professional with no experience to do public relations may very well be costly. A number of travel agents and media personnel spoken to by The Caribbean Voice have emphasized the need to correct this situation immediately.
A number of travel agents also pointed out that they are the people who fill aircrafts and that Universal Airlines must make sure that its relationship with travel agents do not reflect the kind of relationship that Guyana Airways had.
However, Mr. Singh seems confident that his company will quickly make an impact. By January a second aircraft is expected to be chartered. He has also indicated that UA does not suffer from a lack of cash flow which was a dominant problem with Guyana Airways.
Mr. Singh also emphasized that this is not another fly by night operation and that they are in for the long run. But pressed for a response, he guaranteed that passengers will get their money refunded should the company close down unexpectedly.