Two Caribbean ministers utilizing services out of Cheddi Jagan International Airport were refused VIP treatment on American Airlines and the Guyanese government has criticized the decision.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation criticized the airline’s agents for demanding that Ralph Gonzalves, the Prime Ministers of St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago’s Dr Keith Rowley leave the executive lounge and present themselves to the check-in counter.

They were in Guyana for the annual energy expo.

The ministry said that the airline’s actions have embarrassed both Guyana and the region.

“All Government protocols were in place to facilitate their departure. Despite American Airlines having been written to, prior to the arrival of the Prime Ministers in Guyana, for them to be accorded the courtesies of check-in on departure from the VIP Lounge, the airline refused to acquiesce to the Ministry’s request,” the statement said.

“The Government of Guyana had previously protested this position taken by American Airlines against its own High and senior Government officials, but they have continued to pay scant regard to the Government’s requests for entitlements to the positions held to be respected” the statement added.

A letter will be sent to American Airlines “to express the government’s displeasure at the continued disrespect shown to dignitaries”