Guyana pushes for expanded air routes at Routes Americas 2026

Guyana is currently being represented at Routes Americas 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by Public Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar, Board Director Sanjeev Datadin, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Ramesh Ghir.
This aviation forum provides a critical platform to position Guyana as a key regional gateway, aligning with the country’s rapid economic expansion and the growing demand for increased international access.
As such, the Guyanese delegation is actively engaging leading airline, airport, and tourism executives. With a robust and targeted engagement agenda, Minister Indar is scheduled to meet with representatives from 22 airlines and more than 30 tourism boards and airport operators from across the region.
These high-level discussions are focused on expanding route networks, increasing passenger and cargo traffic, and strengthening strategic partnerships that will further enhance Guyana’s air connectivity and regional competitiveness.
Minister Indar stated, “Our presence at Routes Americas signals Guyana’s readiness to expand its global footprint. As our country experiences unprecedented growth, strengthening air connectivity remains a national priority to support tourism, investment, and trade.”
In addition, Datadin related, “These high-level engagements are critical to advancing CJIA’s strategic objectives.” Each meeting provides an opportunity to showcase Guyana’s development trajectory and the airport’s readiness to accommodate new and expanded routes.”
As Guyana continues its upward trajectory, CJIA remains firmly committed to building impactful aviation partnerships that connect Guyana to the world. The three-day conference will conclude today.
Only recently, Tourism Industry and Commerce Minister Susan Rodrigues stated that since 2020, Guyana has added nine new international airlines, bringing the total number of carriers operating in the country to 15.
She added that the expanded air connectivity has not only increased the number of routes available to Guyanese travellers but has also widened Guyana’s reach into key tourism markets across Europe and the Americas.
In light of this, Rodrigues revealed that Guyana recorded 453,489 visitors in 2025, representing a 22 per cent increase over 2024 – growth she described as ‘extraordinary’ when compared to global tourism trends.