Works on US$130M CJIA Expansion Project progressing – Dr. Luncheon
AN Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Distant Measuring Equipment (DME) were relocated to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at a cost of $56.3M, in the context of the CJIA Expansion Project.
This was disclosed by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon at the weekly post- Cabinet meeting yesterday.
Dr. Luncheon noted that the project is ongoing, “teething problems on just two occasions whereby officials of the CJIA had to resort to further engagements with Cabinet to review the design of the expanded CJIA.”
However, he said that although they faced these two problems, works in other areas of the project are still ongoing as planned.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
According to Public Works Minister, Mr. Robeson Benn the project will improve Guyana’s capacity to accommodate larger aircraft, thereby realising its potential as a hub for flights to and from North and South America and further afield.
Guyana’s main port of entry will boast a runway of a total of 10,800 feet, while the current runway precludes large aircraft from coming to Guyana, the expansion project will also see to the implementation of a new terminal building, eight boarding bridges, elevators, escalators, three dimensional x-ray scanners, flight information and security monitoring systems.
He went on to say: “We want to develop a hub, not only a regional hub for South America and the Caribbean, but also for Trans-Atlantic flights from Southern Africa and other parts going out to the East,” Benn declared.
BIG OPPORTUNITY
He explained that there are a large number of flights from Latin America flying over Guyana’s territory and the implementation of the expansion presents an opportunity for them to land here and transfer passengers.
“So there’s a big opportunity we’re foregoing if we don’t do this project,” Benn emphasized. On an annual basis an average of 4,000 international flights and 600,000 passengers arrive at the CJIA, and these numbers are expected to double in the near future and by the year 2030 this CJIA project will also enable the effective and efficient handling of passengers and aircraft.