More air traffic controllers to be trained as flight levels surge – Edghill

With the massive influx of visitors being recorded at the country’s main airports per month, there has been a recognized need to recruit and equip more persons with the skills and expertise needed to control air traffic at these ports.
This call was made by Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill on Monday during the opening ceremony of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority and the Civil Aviation Training School air traffic control assistance and aeronautical information services programme.
During his opening remarks Edghill that to date the country’s main airports Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and Eugene F. Correia International Airport (OGL) are currently witnessing a spike in air traffic, with flight levels surpass 1000 at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport representing a 10% increase compared to last year.
“Right here at the Chedi Jagan International Airport, the CEO is here, Mr. Ram is here. We have about 500 arrivals and departures per month. At the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, which is one of the busiest airports in this part of the world, in the Caribbean, we have about 4,800 movements per month. And I already told you, currently we are at about 600 offshore movements” he explained
Moreover, the minister noted that with monthly arrivals and departures gradually approaching pre COVID levels, more individuals will need to be equipped with the skills to safely manage air traffic at these airports in an effort to ensure that the few persons who currently oversee Air traffic operations are not overworked which could affect their functionality.
“We cannot have fatigue in our towers. So those who are working and are doing a fantastic job, we congratulate them we want to keep them going, but we need more people to be able to man and ensure that our towers are doing well. Growth in aviation has been steady and it has been exponential during the post-COVID years. And the government of Guyana has been keeping abreast with regards to capacity building, as well as infrastructural enhancement” he stated.
Additionally, the minister revealed that the public works ministry is currently mulling the construction of a terminal and air traffic control terminal at the Lethem airport, similar plans are also underway for the Mahdia airstrip.
“Lethem, we are busy pursuing possibilities of putting in the terminal building and an air traffic tower facility at Lethem because Lethem will become a major hub of connectivity in what we are doing and that is why we need people from region 9 and Region 8. Mahdia in Region 8 must become a major, major hub. Let me tell you what I’m seeing for the future of aviation in Guyana. Flights leaving out of OGLE, carrying 30, 40, 50 passengers landing at Mahdia and from Mahdia because they need to have a fuel farm and proper air navigational services distributing to the smaller villages” he stated.
Meanwhile, a total of 25 persons, many of whom hail from hinterland communities, have commenced training in the area of air traffic control. The programme is being rolled out by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority and the Civil Aviation Training School and consists of three months of academic instruction followed by three months of practical, on-the-job training. Successful graduates of this programme are guaranteed employment with the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, with ongoing training opportunities for career advancement.