GCAA says it granted special authorisation to ultralight aircraft in Guyana airspace

– as flight stirs concern among locals

In a press release on Sunday March 9, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) revealed that it had granted special authorisation to Gyri Koeln SA, a private aviation company based in Costa Rica, permitting a fleet of three ultralight aircraft to traverse Guyanese airspace as part of their journey from Suriname to their ultimate destination in Trinidad and Tobago.
According to the GCAA, the trio of nimble, lightweight planes began their voyage on March 8, 2025, departing from Suriname at precisely 09:29 AM local time in Guyana. Following a three-hour flight, the release stated, the ultralights made a successful landing at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport in Guyana at 12:29 PM according to Guyana Times.
After a brief overnight layover, the aircraft once again ascended on the morning of Sunday, March 9, 2025, taking off from the airport at 10:54 AM local time to embark upon the final stretch of their aerial odyssey, flying in formation, to Trinidad and Tobago.
This passage through Guyana’s sovereign airspace was made possible through the express consent and authorisation of the GCAA, the governing body charged with regulating and overseeing all aerial navigation and aviation operations within the nation’s airspace.
The GCAA meticulously reviewed the flight plans, aircraft specifications, and credentials of the pilots before granting the necessary approvals, ensuring full compliance with all relevant safety protocols and international aviation standards.
This transit agreement underscores Guyana’s commitment to fostering regional cooperation and facilitating the smooth flow of civilian air traffic, while simultaneously upholding the integrity of its borders and national security interests, the release concluded.
The flight created a buzz on local social media that prompted the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to take note and also release a public notice via social media on Sunday, referencing the GCAA’s press release.