“You know that we got the number one ranking for overall passenger experience, and we are building on that,” Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar disclosed while appearing on Sunday’s episode of the Starting Point Podcast.
Minister Indar stated that Guyana has been experiencing rapid growth in airlines and passenger traffic.
More than 56,000 passengers arrived in Guyana during a single month for the country’s 60-year Jubilee celebrations. This highlights the increasing demand for air travel.
The minister pointed to the return of British Airways for the first time since the 1970s, the re-entry of a Canadian airline and the expansion of services from the United States, the Caribbean, Colombia and Panama.
Another Canadian carrier is expected to begin operations in Guyana in 2027 after postponing its plans because of higher fuel costs linked to the war in Europe.
To support the magnitude of growth, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) is undergoing a series of upgrades to further improve passengers’ experience. These include the installation of an inline baggage handling system, which will automatically screen and transport checked luggage directly to aircraft, eliminating the need for passengers to manually place bags through security scanners.
Plans are also underway to introduce curbside check-in services and expand immigration facilities to speed up passenger processing.
For Guyanese, the government intends to integrate facial recognition technology with the national electronic identification (E-ID) system. Under the proposal, registered travellers will be identified automatically upon arrival, allowing them to pass through electronic immigration gates more quickly.
Beyond the existing airport, the government is moving ahead with plans to construct a second passenger terminal, which has now been redesigned as a three-storey facility.
The public utilities minister said the expansion forms part of a broader vision to position Guyana as an aviation hub linking Latin America and the Caribbean with Africa. Guyana’s geographical location will significantly reduce travel times for passengers travelling between South America and parts of West Africa, while avoiding some of the visa requirements associated with transiting through Europe or North America.
“There are so many opportunities in aviation, and we are going after them very aggressively,” the minister emphasised.
The government is also investing in regional aviation infrastructure, including new airports at Lethem and Rose Hall, alongside the rehabilitation of hinterland airstrips.
Minister Indar revealed that around 35 frequently used hinterland airstrips are expected to be upgraded with concrete pavements as part of a long-term infrastructure programme. (Department of Public Information)
