Guyana signed air services agreements with Greece, Panama and France during the 3rd Global ICAO–EASA RSOO/RAIO Safety Conference, held in Georgetown from September 29 to 30, 2026, alongside the Caribbean High-Level Symposium on Aviation Safety on October 1.

The twin gatherings drew senior representatives from more than 100 countries, including leadership from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the US Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada. Industry delegations included Airbus, Bell Helicopters and GECI. It marked the third iteration of the global ICAO–EASA series on RSOO and RAIO cooperation.

The agreements open new commercial routes between Guyana and the three European and Latin American markets, including their dependencies, the Aviation Operators Association of Guyana (AOAG) said in a statement congratulating the government and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Guyana also signed a memorandum of understanding on sustainability in civil aviation with the Dominican Republic.

What does CASSOS gain from the conference?

AOAG identified the most consequential outcome as renewed international support for the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Service (CASSOS), the planned CARICOM regional safety organisation.

During the symposium, ICAO, EASA and the FAA committed financial and technical assistance to enable CASSOS to develop and fully operationalise its required capabilities. The pledges, if delivered, would address a long-standing gap in regional safety oversight that has left individual Caribbean states reliant on bilateral support from extra-regional regulators.

"A strong, properly constituted CASSOS will provide the foundation for greater harmonisation of aviation safety and security oversight, enhanced regional capability and a more integrated Caribbean aviation system," AOAG said.

How did the industry engage?

AOAG hosted a high-level business networking breakfast on September 30 and led the industry perspectives session of the Caribbean symposium the following day. AOAG President Capt. Learie Barclay used the session to advocate full support for CASSOS and to advance a "Caribbean ONE SKY" framework, branded the "CARISKY UMBRELLA," as a model for regional cooperation, connectivity and efficiency.

The GCAA, under Minister of Aviation Deodat Indar, Director-General of Civil Aviation Lt. Col. (Ret'd) Egbert Field and Deputy Director of Civil Aviation Dr. Saheed Suliman, organised the conferences. AOAG described the programme as "flawlessly delivered" and said Guyana had demonstrated it can serve as a "convenor, catalyst, and leader" in Caribbean aviation.

What does this change for operators?

For Guyanese carriers, the new ASAs with Greece, Panama and France create the bilateral legal basis needed to launch scheduled or charter services to those markets. Combined with the Dominican Republic sustainability MOU, they position Guyana as an emerging node in cross-Caribbean and trans-Atlantic traffic, though actual service launches will depend on airline business cases, aircraft availability and route economics.

For the wider region, the CASSOS commitments matter more. A functioning regional safety organisation would centralise certification, surveillance and accident investigation functions that smaller Caribbean states have struggled to resource individually, potentially reducing the cost and complexity of compliance for operators flying across multiple jurisdictions.

AOAG framed the moment as a turning point: "The Caribbean aviation community has been given an important opportunity. The AOAG stands ready to work with Government, CASSOS, CARICOM and international aviation partners to seize it — and to build a safer, stronger and more connected Caribbean ONE SKY."

The next test will be whether the financial and technical pledges from ICAO, EASA and the FAA translate into a fully operational CASSOS before the next ICAO–EASA RSOO/RAIO cycle, and whether Guyanese operators convert signed agreements into scheduled service to Athens, Paris and Panama City.