GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – Hundreds of Cubans stranded over the past few days were leaving Guyana on Tuesday after the authorities granted the Honduras-based Easy Sky airline temporary permission to fly into the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (JGIA).

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Monday night had confirmed the suspension of the airline over several safety concerns.“The weight and balance of the aircraft appeared to be in question and that could have caused serious safety repercussions,” said GCCA Director General Retired Colonel Egbert Field. The airline uses a Boeing 737 aircraft for the Guyana operations.He said once the safety deficiencies and other issues were addressed, the suspension of the airline’s operations would be re-examined.But he made it clear that any lifting of the suspension at this time would be to get the stranded passengers out and not to allow additional flights coming into Guyana.Field told the Demerara Waves Online News Tuesday that the airline “began to correct some of their safety deficiencies and …so we allowed the plane to come in last night; not to bring in passengers but to evacuate the passengers who are here”.Media reports said that at least 433 passengers had been stranded in Guyana since last week.Field said Easy Sky would not be allowed to resume flights to Guyana until a complete review of its application and approval process is completed.“They don’t have permission to bring in more passengers until we have carried out a complete surveillance on them. The authority will be conducting a complete review of their approval process and also of their current operation,” Field told the Guyana-based online publication.Hundreds of Cubans fly to Guyana weekly to shop for clothing, electronic and other items.