Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley received a letter of apology dated 20th February, 2023 from American Airlines Managing Director, International Government Affairs, Robert Wirick, for treatment meted out at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport last week.
The Prime Minister and delegation were in Guyana to participate in the Guyana Energy Conference and Expo 2023 and were preparing to depart Guyana for The Bahamas, via Miami, on 15th February, 2023 to attend the 44th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community in Nassau. The Prime Minister was denied the courtesies usually extended to Heads of Government at the airport, which would allow check-in procedures to be conducted on their behalf. Instead, American Airlines insisted that the Prime Minister and delegation, who were in the Government-operated VIP Lounge, present themselves at the check-in counter. The courtesies were requested by the Government of Guyana.
On being denied the courtesies, the Prime Minister and delegation complied with the request to present themselves at the American Airlines check-in counter to complete the procedures, without incident. Protocol officials from Guyana and from Trinidad and Tobago interacted with the airline staff to complete the check-in of the Prime Minister. The Protocol staff were professional and efficient in their handling of the matter and avoided further inconvenience or embarrassment to the Prime Minister. The delegation travelled to Nassau without further incident.
