Upgrades to hinterland airstrips pushing eco-tourism, aviation safety – Public Works Minister

Amid the massive influx of tourists seeking to explore the nation’s eco-tourism products, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill on Monday said the airstrips are being upgraded to make runways safer for larger aircraft.

During a Facebook Live posted to the Ministry’s Facebook page, the minister explained that millions of dollars were injected into the upgrade of airstrips at hinterland communities.

Edghill said the ministry is currently focused on several projects to further expand the runways at hinterland airstrips and looking ahead, the expected result is a boost in the tourism sector’s ability to boost the economy.

“Our key focus of expanding tourism is tied to the development of hinterland airstrips, we want safety to be improved, we want to ensure more aircraft can land, we want to ensure bigger planes can land, we want to ensure that the fares to go to the interior are reduced and at the same time all the operators in the tourism sector must be able to expand as we continue to sell our eco-tourism worldwide,” Edghill said.

In 2025, the government significantly improved air travel to Paramakatoi, Region Eight with the completion of a 2,500 feet long, 50 feet wide runway valued at $799.7 million.

The runway at the Kaieteur National Park, a 1,000-feet extension was also conducted and completed earlier this year. According to Edghill, the airstrip at Port Kaituma will be done in 2026 and works are underway at Matthews Ridge, Region One.

Additionally, the minister said these massive investments are not only boosting connectivity but the nation’s ability to boost the livelihood of the population.

“For some people it’s just a road or a highway or airstrip or the operation of motor vessels, whatever we do is not isolated but it is heavily connected to the whole population,” the minister said.