Guyana surpasses global aviation security target in major ICAO audit

Guyana has achieved a significant milestone in international aviation safety, earning an exceptional score of 80.12 per cent in the recent International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Aviation Security Audit – far surpassing the global average of 72 per cent and exceeding ICAO’s global aspirational goal of 75 per cent set for 2033.
The results, released following the audit conducted from August 25 to September 3, 2025, reflect a remarkable improvement from Guyana’s previous score of 62.90 per cent in 2016, with an impressive increase of 17.22 per cent.
The audit was carried out under ICAO’s Universal Security Audit Programme Continuous Monitoring Approach, which assesses states’ ability to effectively safeguard international aviation against unlawful interference.
The comprehensive review measured Guyana’s compliance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation, focusing on Annex Nine (Facilitation) and Annex 17 (Security – Safeguarding International Civil Aviation Against Acts of Unlawful Interference). During the process, a team of four ICAO experts evaluated the country’s aviation system through 494 protocol questions, examining eight critical areas of aviation security.
These areas included aviation security legislation; aviation security programmes and regulations; state appropriate authority for aviation security and its responsibilities; personnel qualifications and training; provision of technical guidance, tools, and security-critical information; certification and approval obligations; quality control obligations; and resolution of security concerns.
The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) credited the achievement to the collective effort and strong leadership guiding the country’s aviation sector. The Authority extended its gratitude to His Excellency, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, for his visionary leadership in steering Guyana’s aviation industry toward world-class standards. Special thanks were also given to Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, for his strategic guidance and pivotal role in audit preparation, and to Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, for his consistent support throughout the process.
The GCAA also acknowledged the dedication of its Aviation Security team, who worked tirelessly to ensure compliance and readiness ahead of the audit, as well as the invaluable contributions of support staff across various agencies.
In addition, the Authority recognised the crucial assistance of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) team, the Guyana Police Force’s Immigration Department, and the Guyana Revenue Authority’s Customs Department for their integral roles in the audit’s success.
According to the GCAA, this outstanding result underscores Guyana’s growing reputation as a regional leader in aviation safety and security. Officials noted that the achievement strengthens the country’s credibility within the global aviation community and enhances the confidence of international travellers and stakeholders.
“The collective commitment of all involved has made an indelible impact on this success, reinforcing Guyana’s commitment to the safety and security of the travelling public,” the GCAA said in a statement.
With this audit outcome, Guyana has now positioned itself among the top-performing countries in aviation security, reflecting years of focused reform and investment in compliance, training, and oversight.