Electrician fined $300,000 for trespassing on Lethem airstrip runway

A 43-year-old electrician of Culvert City, Lethem, Central Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), has been fined $300,000 after pleading guilty to trespassing on the Lethem Aerodrome runway, in contravention of Section 83(1) of the Civil Aviation Act.
Lennard Pompey appeared on Tuesday before Magistrate Omadatt Chandan at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court, where the charge was read to him and he pleaded guilty.
The court imposed a fine of $300,000, with an alternative of three months’ imprisonment if the fine is not paid.
Only recently an incident at the Lethem Aerodrome had come under heightened scrutiny following safety concerns raised by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority.
In a statement issued on May 31, 2026, the authority had condemned the deliberate placement of rocks by person/persons on the runway, describing it as a serious risk to aircraft operations and public safety.
The Authority reminded us that under the Civil Aviation Act 2018, trespassing on aerodrome property is a criminal offence, carrying penalties of up to $1 million in fines and six months’ imprisonment.
Following the incident, the Aviation Operators Association of Guyana (AOAG) also urged greater public responsibility around airstrips and runways, noting that hinterland aerodromes are critical to transport, medical evacuations, and the delivery of essential supplies.
The Lethem Aerodrome remains a key aviation hub for Region Nine, where authorities have continued to stress the importance of protecting runway infrastructure from obstruction and interference.