CJIA’s terminal 2 to deliver travel experience, showcase Guyana’s heritage – Pres Ali

As efforts continue to enhance capacity and efficiency at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the new Terminal Two building, currently under construction, is expected to improve the travel experience for passengers. This is according to President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who was speaking at the commissioning of Jags Aviation’s two new aircraft on Saturday evening. The Head of State outlined a 10-point plan aimed at improving the local aviation industry and strengthening Guyana’s role as a regional transportation hub.

Chief among those plans is the development of the necessary infrastructure, something the President noted is already underway with the construction of the new Terminal Two building at the country’s main port of entry. The modern 150,000-square-foot building will showcase Guyana’s natural and cultural beauty as well as feature duty-free zones, retail opportunities, rental offices and lounges. With this new building the CJIA will be able to dedicate separate buildings for arrivals and departures. According to the Guyanese Leader, “Terminal two is a new state-of-the-art terminal that will be unmatched in this region. It will celebrate our heritage, our culture, our biodiversity, our ecosystem. It is not just a terminal, it is built as an experience.” “The design of Terminal Two is to create not only a gateway and a passageway for passengers; it is experiencing something different. Every country that is worth itself in modern day must be able to create experiences. It is one thing to host a major event, but when those who attend the event leave, they leave with the experience of what was offered.” The sod for the CJIA Terminal Two Building was turned last August and construction commenced earlier this year by BHM Construction Inc out of the United Kingdom (UK) in collaboration with the largest airport group known for world-class operations within the global aviation sector, Manchester Airport Group Ltd – both of which are teaming up on the facility’s design and construction.
The project is being financed in part by the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF), which has offered Guyana a credit loan ceiling up to a whopping £3 billion. In Budget 2026, the Guyanese Government had set aside some $3.2 billion to advance the construction of Terminal Two, which is slated to be completed before the end of 2028. Complementing the construction of Terminal Two are several other major projects currently underway at the airport. These include relocating the air traffic control tower to the opposite side of the airfield, a move that will free up valuable space for additional aircraft parking. The airport is also set to benefit from a new inline baggage handling system equipped with additional scanners and cameras, as well as the introduction of off-site check-in services. Further developments include a modern VIP lounge, upgraded tarmac facilities and expanded administrative offices. These upgrades are intended to streamline operations and provide a more seamless experience for travellers. The expansion comes in response to the airport’s rapid growth and increased traffic since 2020. Between 2020 and 2025, CJIA recorded sustained double-digit growth, with passenger movements increasing by 433 per cent. In fact, last year, the airport processed 973,016 passengers, a 14 per cent increase over the 856,831 passengers in 2024. Just last month, another milestone in passenger movement was recorded with over 56,000 travellers – 48,500 of those arrivals being processed at the CJIA.
This unprecedented influx represents a 16 per cent increase in passenger traffic compared to the same period in 2025. During May, thousands of diaspora members and international tourists flooded into the country to partake in Guyana’s 60th Independence Diamond Jubilee Celebrations which was observed with a series of events across the country.