KINGSTON - The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project will be going ahead as planned, according to Public Works Minister Robeson Benn during a press conference on September 13 at his office.
When asked where the funding will be coming from, he indicated that last year $20M was approved and advanced by the National Assembly. The Minister noted that the project is a valid one since the contractor is on the ground and equipment is already arriving.
The sod was turned in March last for the project that will improve Guyana’s capacity to accommodate larger categories of aircraft, thereby realising its potential as a hub for flights to and from the North and South America and further afield.
Guyana’s main port of entry will boast a runway of a total of 10,800 feet, a new terminal building, eight boarding bridges, elevators, escalators, three dimensional x-ray scanners, flight information and security monitoring systems.
The length of the current runway precludes larger aircraft from coming to Guyana.
“We want to develop a hub, not only a regional hub for South America and the Caribbean, but also for Trans Atlantic flights from Southern Africa and other parts going out to the East,” Minister Benn noted today.
He also explained that there is a large number of flights from Latin America flying over Guyana’s territory and the implementation of the expansion presents an opportunity for them to land here and transfer passengers.
“So there’s a big opportunity we’re foregoing if we don’t do this project,” the Minister emphasised. Further, the project will enable the effective and efficient handling of passengers and aircraft.
On an annual basis an average 4,000 international flights and 600,000 passengers arrive at the CJIA. These numbers are expected to double in the near future and by the year 2030, triple.
With regards to the relocation of the squatters near the airport, the Minister indicated that he met with some of them on Wednesday and another batch two weeks ago, and the management of the CJIA was scheduled to meet the other residents today to convince them of the need for their relocation.
