Second terminal for CJIA soon; other major works ongoing

Over the years there has been a “significant” increase in air traffic at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the country’s main port of entry.

So, to ensure smooth processing and the comfort of passengers, efforts are ongoing to enhance the airport. This will include the construction of a second terminal building.

“That new terminal of course would bring a lot of relief for us at the airport.

“The runway that we have is long enough…but we need more capacity in terms of the terminal space,” CJIA Chief Executive Officer, Ramesh Ghir told the News Room on Wednesday.

Ghir said negotiations are currently in the final stages for this project.

“For a number of years now we have begun express of interest…we have had a number of proposal we have negotiated and we are actually at the stage now to the point where we are almost ready to sign a contract,” Ghir said.

Ghir also told the News Room of other works that are ongoing at the airport. This include the construction of a new commercial center. This center is expected to open within a few months.

“That commercial center will allow for about 20 new concessions and duty free shops, food courts so passengers will have more options,” Ghir said.

In addition to this, Ghir noted that a lot of work was recently done to digitise the airport system.

“Recently we have introduced the electronic gates for both arriving and departing passengers…So passengers can now fill their forms online and when they get to the airport they scan their passport and enter the country.”

With these new systems, Ghir said passengers can now be processed within 20 seconds upon their arrival to a kiosk.

Other works were also done in the past including a new arrivals terminal and a rehabilitated departure terminal.

These works form part of the airport’s expansion project.