The Suriname-based airline Gum Air has announced a US$25 fuel surcharge for one-way travel to Guyana, citing the “ongoing increase in international aviation fuel prices” as the primary reason for the adjustment.
The privately owned carrier is part of the Gummels Group of companies, which also operates the Eduard Alexander Gummels International Airport (SMEG) and the agricultural aviation service Surinam Sky Farmers.
In a statement to customers and stakeholders, Gum Air said the surcharge takes effect on Friday. It added that, “in order to continue providing you with safe, reliable and consistent service a temporary fuel surcharge will be introduced on all Gum Air and Trans Guyana Airways between Paramaribo and Georgetown.”
The airline also confirmed that cargo shipments will be subject to a 10 per cent fuel surcharge.
The move comes amid broader pressure on regional carriers due to rising global fuel costs, influenced in part by geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Trinidad-based state-owned Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has also introduced an immediate fuel surcharge on all tickets, stating it is intended to offset rising operational costs linked mainly to the conflict. CAL said the surcharge ranges between US$15 and US$25 per sector depending on the route, while noting that there has been no increase in base fares.
Meanwhile, Dominican Republic-based Sky High Dominicana has launched its inaugural flight from Santo Domingo to the Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport in Suriname late Thursday.
Passengers on the inaugural flight included Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation Minister Melvin Bouva, Transport, Communications and Tourism Minister Raymond Landveld, and the Dominican Republic’s non-resident Ambassador to Suriname, Ernesto Torres Pereyra.
Bouva described the launch as a milestone in bilateral relations, saying it “not only signifies the opening of a new flight route but also symbolises the further strengthening of the historical ties between the Republic of Suriname and the Dominican Republic.”
He added that the new service should mark the beginning of “many safe journeys – journeys of business, of friendship, of cultural exchange,” noting that both countries have maintained friendly relations for more than 46 years based on shared values, including respect for sovereignty and regional cooperation.
