The Bharrat Jagdeo administration has begun discussions with the government of India for a possible line of credit to fund massive modifications and upgrade of Guyana’s main port of entry, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
Likely to cost millions of dollars, the project would see expansion of the airport area, and construction of a modern terminal and a four-lane access road to the airport from the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, according to inside sources.
The new airport is also likely to include cold- storage facilities to accommodate exportation of more agricultural produce from Guyana. Designs for some of these works and other preparatory activities have reportedly started, while moves are afoot to identify the needed financial resources.
The Guyana government plans to implement this major development step by step.
Speaking at a recent forum at the International Conference Centre at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, President Jagdeo told the gathering about plans to triple the size of the CJIA to include eight air bridges so that at least eight aircraft can land or take off at the same time. He also mentioned that the runaway would be extended and the airport’s general aesthetics improved, so the CJIA can be an attraction for both locals and tourists.
He highlighted the establishment of a four-lane road to the airport to accommodate the anticipated increase in traffic when the airport has been modified.
This substantial investment, the head of state said, is to complement a string of other developmental projects currently taking place and some still in the pipelines for Guyana.
Earlier in the year, this newspaper reported that, according to sources, the government was considering making Guyana a hub for international traffic, a move that would see CJIA facilitating larger aircraft and more air traffic.
Currently, Piarco Airport in Port of Spain, Trinidad, is the closest international hub in the Caribbean. Making Guyana an international hub would enable this country to earn a lot more from aircraft landings and other services offered by airports, while encouraging more visitors.
Aviation sources have estimated that an airport development of the magnitude envisaged could cost Guyana between US$50 million and US$100 million. To date, the authorities have not yet finalised the cost of the project, but they have been identifying the sources of funding to execute the upgrade.
The current airport upgrade plan includes expanding the existing runway to approximately 10,000 feet to accommodate larger aircraft.
This longer runway would also require redesigning the existing terminal building to effectively process the increased number of passengers and cargo.
With regard to extension of the terminal, an assessment is expected shortly to look at not only enlarging the existing building, but relocating the existing concessions and food courts, and access roadways for arrivals and departures. Already, the government has allocated Gy$178 million to start preparatory work on designing the extension of the CJIA airstrip by 3500 feet to accommodate Boeing 747-400 aircraft. The sum also covers designs for expansion of the arrival and departure lounges with attendant air bridges.
The Boeing 747-400 aircraft is not only larger, but also heavier, and therefore requires longer runways. With seating for a maximum of 624 people, the 747-400 can fly nonstop for 7,670 nautical miles, or 14,200 kilometres, depending on the model. The CJIA runway is about 7,500 feet and usually accommodates landing of the Boeing 767, which accommodates between 181 and 375 passengers. These and other comprehensive studies for the proposed multi-million-dollar project may take no less than three months to be undertaken, and would allow the government to make informed decisions on the airport’s development.
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