On Thursday, August 20, 2026, just four weeks after parent company Air Services Limited (ASL) announced it was shutting down its helicopter division due to prolonged certification hurdles, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) officially issued an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) to Guyana Rotorcraft Services Inc — marking a historic milestone as the first domestic carrier approved exclusively for rotorcraft operations in the South American nation.
The GCAA made the announcement in a brief post on its official Facebook page, confirming that the regulatory body had formally handed over the operating certificate to the new local entity. The approval ends a months-long standoff between ASL and the regulator, after the aviation firm publicly lashed out at what it described as extensive, unnecessary delays in the certification review process last month, when it announced the helicopter service would cease operations permanently.
Speaking with local outlet Demerara Waves Online News, ASL legal representative Motie Singh confirmed the AOC approval clears the way for Guyana Rotorcraft Services to launch full operations, including participation in national search and rescue initiatives and provision of medical evacuation services — a market that, until now, has been controlled by a single dominant operator. Singh noted that the new firm boasts two fully operational helicopters and a team of fully qualified, experienced personnel, adding that the company underwent intense regulatory scrutiny to meet GCAA standards. The rigorous upgrade process to align with the regulator’s requirements cost the firm millions of dollars, he added.
GCAA Director-General Retired Lt. Col. Egbert Field pushed back against claims of unnecessary delay, explaining that the rigid five-step certification process is intentionally designed to enforce global aviation safety standards aligned with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) rules. Field emphasized that no shortcuts are permitted during AOC approvals, noting that the review process required the new operator to develop detailed operational and safety manuals, verify all key personnel hold required qualifications, and pass on-site inspections of all operational facilities. To ensure ongoing compliance, Field added, all AOC holders are required to undergo annual full audits to maintain their operating certification.
The approval opens up new competition in Guyana’s growing rotary aviation market, which has expanded rapidly in recent years amid rising demand for energy sector logistics, emergency medical response, and search and rescue coverage across the country’s extensive riverine and forested terrain.