Air Services Limited has formally demanded the reinstatement of a suspended pilot and compensation exceeding ten million Guyanese dollars following what the company describes as unjustifiable restrictions imposed by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority.

In a letter dated March 27, 2026, ASL attorney Motee Singh wrote to GCAA Director General Egbert Field calling for the immediate reinstatement of pilot Errol Pearson, whose Commercial Pilot Licence was suspended for one month effective March 22, 2026. Singh argued the suspension has caused severe financial damage to the airline’s operations, estimating losses from approximately 15 missed flights covering Matthews Ridge and other hinterland destinations.

The GCAA had previously defended its decision, stating that the suspension and temporary operational restrictions were necessary preventive measures pending a formal investigation, and that the authority acted in the interest of aviation safety while ensuring procedural fairness.

Some relief came Thursday when the Director General lifted the flight restriction on ASL’s operations, allowing the airline to resume service to Matthews Ridge. However, Singh maintained that resuming flights does not adequately address the losses already sustained, describing the suspension as embarrassing, unjustifiable, and frivolous.

The attorney argued that the decision to suspend Pearson’s licence was discretionary rather than mandatory under Section 27(c) of the Guyana Civil Aviation Amendment Act 2024, and accused the GCAA of breaching the rules of natural justice. Singh further contended that the suspension was imposed without conclusive evidence of wrongdoing, noting that no loss of life, injury, or property damage occurred as a result of the incident in question.

According to the attorney, standard evidentiary requirements in such matters would include video footage, eyewitness statements, physical aircraft inspection, pilot statements, and expert assessment of any structural damage. He advised that none of this evidence appears to have been established to date.

ASL has called on the GCAA to engage in meaningful dialogue and provide appropriate compensation for the revenue losses suffered during the period of restriction.

The GCAA has not issued a public response to the compensation demand.

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Source: Kaieteur News