GCAA condemns deliberate placement of rocks on Lethem runway

…warns runway trespassers could face $1M fine, jail time

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has condemned the deliberate placement of rocks on the runway of the Lethem Aerodrome, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), describing the act as a serious threat to aviation safety and the lives of passengers, crew members and other persons who depend on air transport services in the region.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the GCAA said it was alarmed by the incident and confirmed that it is working closely with the Guyana Police Force, which has launched a formal investigation.
GCAA is urging members of the public with information about the incident to assist investigators.
According to the GCAA, placing objects on an active runway poses a significant risk to aircraft operations and could have resulted in serious consequences.
The Authority also reminded the public that such actions constitute criminal offences under the Civil Aviation Act 2018.

Section 83(1) of the Act states that any person who trespasses on land forming part of an aerodrome, or causes an animal to trespass on such land, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for six months.
Additionally, Section 86 makes it an offence for any person to intentionally interfere, or attempt to interfere, with air navigation within Guyana. Those found guilty are liable on summary conviction to a fine of $3 million and imprisonment for two years.
The Director General of the GCAA strongly condemned the incident.
“The deliberate placement of rocks on the runway of the Lethem Aerodrome is a reckless and irresponsible act that directly compromised aviation safety and endangered the lives of all persons who depend on air operations at this aerodrome. The GCAA will not tolerate any conduct that undermines the safety and security of civil aviation in Guyana, and we are firmly committed to ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice,” the Director General stated.
The GCAA is also encouraging the public to treat aerodromes as safety-critical infrastructure and to report any suspicious activity or threats to airport operations to the relevant authorities or anonymously through the Authority’s hotline at 608-4222.
The Authority said the safety of the travelling public remains its highest priority as investigations continue.