Investment Chief: KLM will enhance growth in business, investment and tourism

Guyana is expected to experience significant growth in business, investment, and tourism as KLM Royal Dutch Airlines enhances connectivity between Guyana, Asia, and the Middle East.
KLM is set to commence flights to Guyana in June. Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Capt. Egbert Field, told Ignite News today that the airline has completed its preliminary work and will soon receive clearance to begin operations.
KLM flights are expected to connect Guyana to destinations such as Amsterdam and India, with numerous connecting flights to other locations in the region.
Chief Investment Officer and Head of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, highlighted that KLM’s entry into the market will create significant business opportunities for Guyana, particularly in tourism, investment, and the movement of skilled labour from that part of the world.
Dr. Ramsaroop pointed to the recently launched Dutch tour, a joint tourism product between Guyana and Suriname. With KLM now serving both countries, there is potential for increased visitor traffic from the Netherlands to explore their shared Dutch heritage.
“So, you can fly KLM directly to Suriname and then come to Guyana, and from here, fly directly back to the Netherlands. What we are seeing is the beginning of a tourism boom from that region, as KLM’s presence will encourage more travelers to explore both Suriname and Guyana,” he explained.
Dr. Ramsaroop also noted that investment interest from Asia and the Middle East is likely to grow, as the improved air connectivity makes Guyana a more attractive destination for investors.
He added that as major airlines like KLM continue to add Guyana to their routes, other carriers will take notice, further increasing the country’s global connectivity.
Dr. Ramsaroop emphasised that Guyana’s goal is to become the gateway to South America and a hub for regional travel. With multiple airlines already operating in the country and more expressing interest, he believes that Guyana’s open-skies policy will eventually position it as a key travel hub.
The Guyanese government has also welcomed KLM’s entry into the market, noting that the airline is one of the world’s oldest and most respected carriers.
A statement from the President’s Office last year underscored KLM’s potential to strengthen Guyana’s position as a premier hub for tourism, business, and investment.
“With 27,872 annual seats added to the Georgetown market and a projected 1,000,000 passengers crossing our ports of entry by November 2024, the future of Guyana’s aviation sector is soaring,” the statement noted.
In the past four years, major airlines such as JetBlue, British Airways, SkyHigh, InterCaribbean, United Airlines, and Avianca have added Guyana to their routes.
“KLM’s arrival highlights our country’s strategic importance as a gateway to South America, boosting tourism, trade, and cultural exchange with Europe. With KLM’s exceptional service, our nation’s connectivity to the world grows stronger,” the Office of the President added.

Chief Investment Officer and Head of the Guyana Office for Investment, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop