CJIA engages low-cost carriers to provide services to South America, Europe & Middle East

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has recorded a 14 per cent increase in passengers for the year so far, when compared to 2022, and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ramesh Ghir, has announced that talks are underway with low-cost carriers to provide services to and from South America, Europe, and the Middle East.
This, he explained, would further boost the airport’s connectivity and make it a more attractive destination for travellers.
In fact, the CJIA, in a release, has said it has thus far processed a total of 405,000 passengers in 2023 – 50,000 more than the amount processed for the same period last year. It credits the increase in passenger numbers to the increased airlift by the existing carriers, and to the entrance of British Airways in the Guyana market in March.

Passenger movements are projected to rise further when Sky Cana Airlines commence flight operations to Houston, Texas and Canada.
In addition, 1.33 million kilograms of cargo were processed in 2023, compared to what was processed in 2022. Cargo exports have increased by 450,000 kilograms, or 54 per cent, compared to last year.
The increase in cargo numbers is a result of increased imports in oilfield equipment and ship spares, but exports in agro-products have increased exponentially.
LATAM Cargo now provides freighter service between Houston, Miami, and Guyana, and has moved 133,000 kilograms of cargo since May 9, 2023.
Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill has said the CJIA is poised to achieve unprecedented growth in the coming years.
“The airport is a critical part of Guyana’s economic development, and the Government is committed to ensuring that it can meet the needs of the country’s growing economy,” he said.
CJIA CEO Ramesh Ghir has said the airport is on track to achieving President Irfaan Ali’s prediction of one million passenger movement by 2025.
The Government of Guyana is currently working to automate the arrival and departure processes by introducing biometric kiosks and electronic gates. This project has commenced, and is expected to be completed in early 2024.