GCAA warns of growing animal runway incursions at aerodromes

– says anyone found responsible for compromising aviation safety will be prosecuted

More than a week after a Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) Cessna Caravan aircraft overshot the Mabaruma airstrip in Region One (Barima-Waini), forcing the Pilot to take evasive action to avoid an animal that had entered the runway, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is now raising concerns over the increasing frequency of animals crossing aerodrome runways across the country.
It was reported that the incident occurred after the aircraft with registration 8R-GCC reportedly experienced a runway excursion. The incident left at least one person injured and several others traumatised.
The incursion caused considerable damage to the aircraft and endangered passenger safety during landing.
Following the incident, TSA stated that the matter of animal and human invasion at hinterland airports owned and operated by the Government, currently under significant expansion and development, is of considerable concern to Trans Guyana Airways and, indeed, a continuing threat to all commercial and private aircraft utilising these aerodromes, which are not under required supervision.
In fact, the airline stated that the matter was brought to the attention of the Director General of the GCAA as recently as September 9, 2026. An initial concern was echoed by the company on June 16, 2026.
However, on Friday, the GCAA condemned any act that obstructs aviation operations while adding that the deliberate or negligent release of animals onto runways constitutes a direct and unacceptable threat to the safety of passengers, flight crews, and aircraft.
As such, the GCAA added that such actions are reckless, endanger lives, and will not be tolerated under any circumstances. These disruptions are serious criminal offences under the Civil Aviation Act of 2018.
“Anyone found responsible for compromising aviation safety will be prosecuted to the fullest extent and subjected to severe legal penalties. The safety and security of the aviation sector remain paramount, and the GCAA, in partnership with law enforcement, will ensure rigorous enforcement and decisive action against offenders,” a release from the GCAA further stated.
It added that “Any person who trespasses on any land forming part of an aerodrome or causes any animal to trespass on such land commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of one million dollars and to imprisonment for six months.”
Moreover, the authority urged the public to treat all aerodromes as safety-critical infrastructure and to immediately report any suspicious activity or threats to aerodrome operations to the relevant authorities.