The town of Maripasoula, in western Guyana and the largest in France with its 18,360 km2, is isolated from the world after Air Guyane decided to suspend air connections after a landing incident in early November.
An aircraft from this company, a LET 410, made a non-gravity runway excursion on November 4, landing on the small aerodrome’s temporary laterite runway. The aircraft had difficulty braking on slippery ground due to the rain. Therefore, Air Guyane has decided to stop operating in the city.
The small airfield’s historic runway, covered with a hard surface, has been under construction for a few weeks and for a period of six months. But, with the rainy season approaching, Christian Marchand fears that this deadline will be exceeded.
“No plane, everything is blocked”
Maripasoula is normally only accessible by plane or canoe down the Maroni River. “The plane is our way. Without a plane, everything is blocked,” testified Lama Topo, first deputy mayor of Maripasoula.
The only alternative at this point is to disembark at Grand-Santi, downstream of the Maroni, and then continue by canoe. River navigation that can take “up to five hours”, according to a transport professional.
“The inhabitants are under house arrest,” said Jonathan Abienso, spokesman for the Maripasoula neighborhood group, who stressed that it was impossible for them to go to Cayena to carry out procedures or consult a specialist, for example.
The city experienced several weeks of lockdown in October, with residents demanding, among other things, more air rotations. A complaint accepted by Air Guyane but which will only be implemented when flights resume.
Source: BFM TV
