New CJIA Terminal 2 designed to showcase Guyanese culture, heritage – Pres Ali

– says Guyana investing in new era of airport experience

President Dr Irfaan Ali says that the new terminal two building being constructed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) will not only enhance capacity and efficiency at the main port of entry but is being designed as a gateway to Guyana’s rich cultural tapestry to add to the passenger experience.
The Head of State made these remarks during the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026 that was held in Georgetown last week.
Addressing hundreds of Government officials, investors, and tourism stakeholders from across the Caribbean, President Ali pointed out that modern tourism requires undertaking projects that are fundamentally different from the traditional approach to investments.
“When we conceptualise a project today, we must be building for resilience, building for the market, building for experience, building for expectation, and building for storytelling,” he stated, adding that Guyana has already taken a step towards this direction with the CJIA expansion project.
According to the Guyanese leader, “An airport today is not an airport of yesterday. It’s not an airport for persons to come in and go out. The airport itself must be able to tell a story and present a picture. That is why you are seeing tremendous investment in airports and air hubs that allow an experience to be had.”
“Here in Guyana, we embrace this change. That is why we are investing in Terminal Two [at the CJIA], not only as a new terminal, but as a terminal that will tell the story of Guyana and where Guyana aspires to be.”
The modern 180,000-square-foot, three-storey Terminal Two will showcase Guyana’s natural and cultural beauty, as well as feature duty-free zones, retail opportunities, rental offices, and lounges. With this new building, the CJIA will be able to dedicate separate buildings for arrivals and departures.

The sod for the CJIA Terminal Two Building was turned in August 2025, and construction commenced earlier this year by BHM Construction Inc. out of the United Kingdom (UK) in collaboration with the largest airport group known for world-class operations within the global aviation sector, Manchester Airport Group Ltd – both of which are teaming up on the facility’s design and construction.
The project is being financed in part by the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF), which has offered Guyana a credit loan ceiling of up to a whopping £3 billion. In Budget 2026, the Guyanese Government had set aside some $3.2 billion to advance the construction of Terminal Two, which is slated to be completed before the end of 2028.
Complementing the construction of Terminal Two are several other major projects currently underway at the airport. These include relocating the air traffic control tower to the opposite side of the airfield, a move that will free up valuable space for additional aircraft parking.
The airport is also set to benefit from a new inline baggage handling system equipped with additional scanners and cameras, as well as the introduction of off-site check-in services. Further developments include a modern VIP lounge, upgraded tarmac facilities, and expanded administrative offices.
These upgrades are intended to streamline operations and provide a more seamless experience for travellers. The expansion comes in response to the airport’s rapid growth and increased traffic since 2020.
Between 2020 and 2025, CJIA recorded sustained double-digit growth, with passenger movements increasing by 433 per cent. In fact, last year, the airport processed 973,016 passengers – a 14 per cent increase over the 856,831 passengers in 2024.
For 2026, Guyana recorded 360,623 visitor arrivals during the first nine months of the year.
This unprecedented influx aligns with efforts by the Government to position the country as a leading aviation hub in the region.

Just last month, Guyana hosted the The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)/ European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Third Global Regional Safety Oversight Organizations (RSOO) and Regional Accident and Incident Investigation Organisations (RAIO) Forum on Aviation Safety, during which President Ali disclosed that the country is seeking a major international airline to establish a hub at the CJIA’s new terminal building.
According to Ali, the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation was given the mandate to begin discussions with major international carriers interested in using the new terminal as a base for regional and international connections. The Government is targeting airlines capable of using Guyana’s geographic position to facilitate connections to South America, the Caribbean, and Africa.
“We are looking now for a partner in Terminal Two, someone who will take Terminal Two as their hub, their global hub… We are mandating the Ministry to begin negotiations with all the big players who want to use Terminal Two as their hub, whether it’s to West Africa, South America, or connected to the Caribbean. We are ready to finalise those negotiations,” the President declared.