Cheddi Jagan International Airport set for expansion

Dear Editor,

I am glad that tourism is beginning to really bloom in Guyana. When I consider the natural beauty of this country, the massive land mass, the rich vegetation, virgin jungles, exotic flora and fauna, and the large expanses of water, I know we are sitting on a gold mine. All that has to be done is to put the requisite infrastructure in place, and then market the country locally, regionally and internationally. This is beginning to happen, and it means income, aesthetics and image.

I just learned that the government is planning to expand the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri. This is really a part of the overall development of the tourism sector and to encourage more flights and stopovers in Guyana. I must commend this move. Usually, the impression on first-time visitors is made right at the airport.

So with the CJIA “being suped up” Guyana’s image will be greatly enhanced. I must admit that many of the region’s airports look better than Guyana’s. What can go a long way, too, is if all the immigration and customs officers put some “spice” into their work. Too many times it seems as if their work is just “for the dollar.” They need to remember that “a smile can really go a mile” and that politeness is really a mark of refinement. I would hate to see a great façade, but I cannot countenance a staff of rude and impertinent people. I say this based on a bad experience I had in 2006. This is a one-off experience, and so it must not be generalised.

According to the news emanating from the Office of the President, the upgrade works on the airport will see the runway being lengthened by a further 3500 feet, in addition to a new terminal building being constructed with eight air bridges.

This means, yes, a very good appearance; but it is also symptomatic of expansion in air travel. So, quite rightly, the accommodations must be set in place. Also, if REDjet should keep up its growth, then there would be more North American and European flights in and out of Guyana. I am getting a bit ahead of myself here, but I think I can dream of a really metropolitan milieu at CJIA in the near future. I like how it sounds in the actual words of President Jagdeo: “The project that we are negotiating now will see a longer runway by another 3500 feet; it will see a new airport building that will have eight air bridges. It will be connected to the city by a four- lane road – we have already awarded contracts for part of that road.

“So the infrastructure to make Guyana a hub for Suriname, Brazil, Trinidad and Barbados, to do this route, the potential remains very high. And I suspect we may be able to get other planes from Africa and other places to transit Guyana. But we definitely have to get more airlifts into North America, because that’s a big problem… and to Europe, too.” I repeat: I really like the ring of this. I always feel that if connectivity of air, land and water can be enhanced, Guyanese need not leave this land even for a holiday. The vast land mass, the spectacular rivers, the glorious wildlife, and the magnificent vista of the country as a whole are of such immensity that in-house tourism can bring about a “buzz” in Guyana.

This augurs well for the local people, as well as for those coming for a visit. You know, readers, you can start dreaming about island hopping even without leaving these shores.

Yours sincerely,

Rajcoomar Jodhan