KINGSTON - On July 10, 2014, Minister of Public Works, Hon. Robeson Benn, held a meeting with key stakeholders of the aviation sector to discuss the development of air services and the expansion of Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
The meeting was held in the Ministry’s Boardroom.
They were informed that CJIA’s expansion is one of Government’s national projects engineered to modernized and improve Guyana as hub for international and regional travel.
Meanwhile, the stakeholders highlighted the existing runway limitations in safety due the absence of Runway Extension Safety Area (RESA) and its inability to accommodate larger wide-body aircraft such the Boeing 747 and 777 aircraft. The stakeholders also expressed concern of terminal congestions and parking space constraints for aircraft, which adversely affect their on-time performance.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the stakeholders agreed:
“International Air Travel plays a critical role in the economic and social development of Guyana hence the urgent need for the continued expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) facility.
We further recognize that the expansion project is the appropriate response to the dire safety, security and efficiency challenges faced at the existing facility and pledge to fully lend our support and expertise to advance the progress of the multi-million dollar national endeavour.
As key partners in the aviation sector, we undertake to:
Ø Advancing the growth of the airport
Ø Maintaining close ties with the Ministry of Public Works and CJIA’s Board and management.
Ø Ensuring excellence in safety and security of the airport
Ø Surpassing expectations through a culture of superior customer service and
Operating efficiently with care for the passengers and the facility.
Our collective vision is to bring the CJIA to world standards of hospitality and service and to contribute to the development of the transport sector and Guyana as a whole.”
STAKEHOLDERS:
Ø Carl Stuart, Manager South America, Caribbean Airlines
Ø James Singh, Head of Customs and Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU)
Ø Gerry Gouveia, Chief Executive Officer, Roraima Airways, Insel Air, Dynamic Airways, CONVIASA
Ø Marco Favre, Senior Supervisor, COPA
Ø David Josiah, Manager, Customs (Timehri)
Ø Colin Lovell, Airport Manager, Fly Jamaica
Ø Carl Bowen, Representative, Fly Jamaica
Ø Janice Clement, Officer in Charge, Immigration (Timehri)
Ø Orin Walton, Country Manager, LIAT
Ø Maurice Gajadhar, Chief Executive Officer, New Timehri Handling Service
Ø Vanessa Kartick, Service Manager, Surinam Airways
Ø David Goberdhan, Station Manager, Travel Span
Ø Indranauth Haralsingh, Director, Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA)
Ø Badrie Persaud, Managing Director, GUYOIL
Ø Ramesh Dookhoo, Chairman, CJIA Board of Directors
Ø Ramesh Ghir, Chief Executive Officer, CJIA
Ø Zulficar Mohamed, Director General, GCAA
Ø Saheed Sulaman, Air Transport Officer, GCAA
