Guyana steps up air traffic controller training as aviation sector expands

Guyana is expanding its air traffic control workforce and upgrading training facilities to meet growing demands on its aviation sector, with 36 participants enrolled in four training programmes and 15 controllers completing specialised Approach Surveillance training.

Public Utilities and Aviation Minister, Deodat Indar disclosed the figures in a message marking International Day of the Air Traffic Controller today, themed “Attract them, Value them, Keep them.”
Indar said more than 794,000 international passengers travelled through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) between January 1 and September 30, 2026, as air traffic controllers continued to manage aircraft movements across the country’s airspace.
During the same period, controllers managed an average of 178 landings daily at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, 19 offshore flights daily, 18 landings daily at CJIA and 66 aircraft traversing Guyana’s airspace each day.
He said that the increase in aviation activity has prompted investment in recruitment, training and specialised capabilities to strengthen the workforce and support the safe movement of aircraft.
According to Indar, nine persons have completed the Ab-initio to Air Traffic Control training course, while 14 have graduated from the Aeronautical Information Services Course and five from the Area Control Service (Surveillance) Course. Another eight persons are currently undertaking training in Flight Information and Alerting Service.
The 36 participants are spread across the four programmes, which is part of efforts to develop the next generation of aviation professionals.
Indar said recruitment outreach had also extended to remote communities, where interactive sessions were being used to introduce young people to aviation careers and highlight the achievements of Guyanese in the sector.
He said the Government was also focused on retaining trained personnel through professional development, mentorship, career advancement opportunities and recognition of their contributions.

Surveillance capabilities
Indar said the Government had identified the need to strengthen Approach Surveillance capabilities, noting that 15 air traffic controllers have completed specialised training in the area, paving the way for an operational Approach Surveillance unit.
The initiative, he added, is intended to improve workload management and enhance aviation safety as air traffic increases.
Indar said the Government continued to invest in training and support systems to ensure controllers were equipped to meet operational demands.
He also highlighted the expansion of the Civil Aviation Training School, which has attained Trainair Plus Gold Member status under the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) training programme.
The status allows the school to offer internationally recognised training to aviation professionals from Guyana and overseas.
The school’s upgraded three-dimensional simulator enables trainees to practise managing high-density traffic, responding to emergencies and handling complex scenarios in a controlled environment. The system also allows exercises to be repeated to strengthen trainees’ skills.

Modernised computer systems have further expanded the school’s capacity to deliver training in person and virtually.
Indar said the investments were intended to reduce training timelines without compromising quality, allowing controllers to achieve operational readiness sooner.

Regional training
Meanwhile, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Egbert Field, said the growth in air traffic underscored the importance of air navigation services to economic development, tourism, medical evacuation services and regional connectivity.
In his message for the observance, Field said the Civil Aviation Training School had trained aviation professionals from Guyana, the Bahamas, Barbados and Suriname.
As of September 30, 2026, the school had delivered several ICAO courses, including the Personnel Licensing System course, which had 10 participants, and its virtual classroom version, which also attracted 10 participants.
The Training Instructors Course had 16 participants, while 11 persons participated in the Training Developers Course.
Other programmes included the On-the-Job Training Instructor Course, the On-the-Job Training Instructor Refresher Workshop, the Aeronautical Information Services Course, the Ab-initio to Air Traffic Control Course, the Ab Initio – General course, the Area Control Service (Surveillance) Course and training for airside vehicle operators and personnel.
Field said these programmes supported the development of aviation professionals across the region and demonstrated the importance of regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing.
He added that the GCAA provided technical expertise and guidance to member states of the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS), supporting efforts to strengthen aviation standards and capabilities.

Retention and safety
Additionally, GCAA Board Chairman Javed Shadick said the growing aviation sector made it increasingly important to attract new personnel, recognise existing controllers and provide opportunities for career development.
He said air traffic controllers worked largely behind the scenes, but their responsibilities demanded constant vigilance, sound judgement and the ability to respond to unexpected situations.
Shadick also highlighted the demands associated with distress calls and emergencies, noting that timely communication and coordination could be critical to saving lives.
He said the Board would continue working with GCAA management to provide a supportive working environment, strengthen emergency preparedness and improve coordination among agencies responsible for aviation safety and search and rescue.
As the aviation sector expands, including through the development of regional airports, Shadick said opportunities were expected to emerge for career advancement, specialised training and exposure to modern air navigation systems.
He also pointed to the transition to Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) and the deployment of the D-VOR system as part of efforts to modernise aviation infrastructure and enhance operational safety.
AIM involves the management and provision of information needed for air navigation, while D-VOR is a radio navigation system that provides aircraft with directional guidance.