GCAA outlines major expansion plans and safety initiatives for CJIA, Ogle 

Guyana’s aviation sector is taking off. This week, the Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lt. Col. (ret’d) Egbert Field, A.A., met with local air operators at the GCAA Boardroom in Kingston to discuss the ongoing growth and modernization of the country’s aviation industry.

The meeting served as a platform for the GCAA to outline key developments and set expectations for regulatory compliance, with safety and operational excellence at the forefront.

During the engagement, Col. Field highlighted several major initiatives currently transforming Guyana’s skies:

• Upgrading infrastructure at Ogle Airport;
• Adding new aircraft to the national registry;
• Conducting a study to reorganize airspace in the Georgetown Flight Information Region (FIR);
• Implementing Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs) and Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARS) approaches.

He also detailed ongoing projects at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), including the construction of a second terminal, new taxiways, and a new staff complex at the Timehri Control Tower compound. Preparations are also underway for Guyana to host two major international conferences in 2026: one by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and another by the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations.

To support these expansions, the GCAA plans to recruit and train additional staff and has launched an online platform for drone and landing permit applications. Col. Field stressed that these initiatives align with President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s vision of enhancing local capacity and positioning Guyana as a modern, competitive aviation hub.

Attending operators also shared updates on their own developments, including:

• New parking facilities at Ogle Airport;
• Expanded aprons and terminal buildings;
• A new cargo facility;
• Construction of a new hangar facility at CJIA for Jags Aviation.

However, several operational challenges were raised, such as runway incursions at hinterland airstrips caused by animals, pedestrians, vehicles, and games; inadequate or absent runway lighting at night in some areas; and the coexistence of rotor and fixed-wing aircraft operations at Ogle.

Col. Field acknowledged these concerns, promising that the GCAA will work closely with operators to address the issues while maintaining high standards of aviation safety and security.

“The GCAA remains committed to building a safe and modern aviation sector that supports Guyana’s development,” Col. Field said. “Our goal is to ensure aviation safety and security are never compromised, even as we expand and modernize our operations.”

With these initiatives, Guyana’s aviation sector is poised for a major leap forward—providing safer skies, modern infrastructure, and a growing platform for international and regional aviation growth.