Aviation authority defends suspension of ASL flights to Matthews Ridge

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) defended its decision to suspend Air Services Ltd. (ASL) flights into Matthews Ridge on Thursday, saying the move was necessary to safeguard aviation safety.
In a press release, the regulator said the action followed a reported incident and was taken under its mandate outlined in the Civil Aviation Act 2018 and in line with international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The GCAA said the suspension, which includes the pilot involved, is a precautionary measure pending a full investigation. It emphasised that it is empowered to take immediate action, including licence suspensions, where safety may be at risk.
“Safety is non-negotiable in the aviation industry,” the Authority said, noting that recent reviews have prompted increased oversight in certain areas of commercial aviation.
ASL Chairman Mazahar Ally told Ignite News the company operates between eight and ten flights weekly into Matthews Ridge and raised concerns about the operational environment at the airstrip. He said ongoing construction has forced pilots to rely heavily on radio communication, and the incident involved another company’s aircraft, which reportedly suffered a puncture and veered off the runway, forcing the ASL plane to manoeuvre and land on a nearby construction site.
Ally said ASL was initially allowed to complete flights on Sunday but was grounded the following day, a directive later extended to a full suspension.
The GCAA said it remains committed to working with operators to ensure safe and sustainable aviation operations nationwide.