President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has said Guyana is well on its way to establishing a national aviation school that will serve the entire Caribbean region, with Spanish set to be taught as a compulsory subject.
He gave the update on Saturday while delivering the keynote address at the commissioning of JAGS Aviation’s two new Dornier 228 aircraft at JAGS Aviation Inc in Ogle, East Coast Demerara.
The school is one pillar of the government’s 10-point plan for the country’s aviation sector, and the president said work is advancing.
He said every student would be required to learn Spanish, explaining that it would enhance the competitiveness of Guyanese aviation workers across regions surrounded by Spanish-speaking neighbours.
“When you look at the aviation sector, if you are versatile in English and Spanish, your competitiveness increases two-fold instantaneously,” the head of state underscored.
The president framed the school as part of a push for Guyana to set the pace for aviation in the region rather than follow it, linking it to plans for a regional carrier, new terminals and upgraded air traffic management.