Contract signing near for CJIA’s 2nd terminal to support soaring air traffic – President Ali

As part of expansion plans at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) to accommodate the growing local aviation sector, the Guyana Government is in final stages of negotiations for the construction of a second terminal at the country’s main port of entry.
“We’re in the final stages of signing off on Terminal Two of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport because already the existing terminal is inadequate,” President Dr Irfaan Ali disclosed on Tuesday evening.
He was at the time speaking at a reception held ahead of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ inaugural flight to Guyana on Wednesday, June 4.
Back in 2023, Guyana signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Manchester Airport Group (MAG), for the construction of a second terminal and the implementation of improved management practices for the CJIA.
Since then, negotiations have been ongoing between local procurement authorities and the British airport operator on the terms and conditions of the contract.
According to the Head of State, “Terminal Two will be reflective of our country’s architecture, culture and history, because the terminal itself will tell the story of the country.”
In the CJIA’s budget for 2025, some $7 billion was earmarked for the construction of the new world-class terminal building at the international airport located in Timehri. The new 150,000 square-foot terminal building is expected to have facilities for additional duty-free zones, retail opportunities, rental offices and lounges.
With these developments, the CJIA will have dedicated buildings for arrivals and departures, and a functioning transit lounge.
The second terminal will add to the ongoing expansion works at the CJIA, where an inline baggage system, a new commercial centre, a VIP lounge, and a new administrative building are currently under construction. Another building to accommodate airline operations will also be constructed.
Back in March, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had conducted a site visit to inspect ongoing works at the CJIA and meet with the contractors, engineers and airport officials. At the time, it was reported that the commercial centre was 80 per cent complete, with significant progress made on the first and ground floors, while the contractor for the executive lounge had been approved to proceed with civil works.
Meanwhile, in addition to Manchester Airport Group, Guyana also signed an MoU with Grupo Puntacana, a leading airport developer and operator from the Dominican Republic. That non-binding agreement also includes plans for another terminal building at the CJIA to accommodate the anticipated surge in air travel demand within the coming years.
Back in February 2024, the CJIA said these arrangements were part of efforts by the Guyana Government to leverage reputable airport developers with expertise in airport operations to streamline procedures, enhance efficiency, and elevate the quality of service provided to passengers.
Moreover, the CJIA signed an MoU in 2022 with the Houston Airport System, resulting in both airports working together to attract United Airlines to fly the Houston-Georgetown route.
It was noted that this collaborative approach aims to position the CJIA as a regional leader in airport management and customer satisfaction.

Increased air traffic
Guyana aims to have at least three million passengers passing through the country by 2030. Last year, more than 857,000 passengers were processed at the airport, exceeding the 2023 figure.
According to President Ali during Tuesday’s reception, only four years ago, the number of passengers passing through Guyana was about 182,000. He outlined too that seating capacity has expanded from 336,000 to nearly 1.5 million now.
Moreover, Guyana is currently served by 11 international carriers, up from just five four years ago that connected to only six destinations. Today, the country is connected directly to some 16 destinations across the world.
“As extraordinary as this growth is, we are focusing on a more ambitious target; how is it we’re going to build a mechanism to support three million people passing through our economy by 2030… Having an ambition like that requires an ecosystem that must support this…”
“These connections [with new destinations] and these things don’t happen by accident. You have to have confidence in the economy. You have to have confidence in the system. You have to have confidence in the Government. You have to have confidence in the policy-making environment,” the Guyanese leader noted.