CJIA spreading its wings in 2020
-Many projects scheduled
DPI, Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Hon. Jaipaul Sharma, says the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has made notable achievements in its revenue and expenditure.
According to the minister, revenue has moved from just over $1Billion in 2015 to almost $3.5Billion in 2019.
Its 2019 expenditure comes in at $1.56Billlion, surpassing 2015’s outlay of $767Million.
“So, the airport corporation collected $3.4Million for 2019, which is a remarkable achievement,” Minister Sharma said at a media briefing on Wednesday.
Hon. Jaipaul Sharma, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure
As it relates to passengers, CJIA recorded 22,533 more arriving passengers in 2019 than it had in 2018. There was a seven per cent increase in international passengers with an overall four per cent increase.
There was a minor increase in cargo imports but exports recorded a 13 per cent growth.
“So, we definitely exported more and this is remarkable; it shows the development of the economy in 2019,” Minister Sharma said.
Additional flights from Copa Airlines and American Airlines increased international aircraft movement.
The minister also revealed that additional players were about to enter the market. Jet Blue Airways is expected to begin non-stop service from John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport to CJIA from April 2.
The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority has also approved Eastern Airlines for the JFK to CJIA route.
Meanwhile, Minister Sharma praised CJIA’s 2019 security audit outcome.
“[T]he airport was successfully audited by the Transportation and Security Administration and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority. These audits tested the effectiveness of the procedures and systems implemented by the airport to counter security threats.”
The plans for 2020 include self-check-in kiosks and passenger tracking software, both to be available this month. Also on the cards are the construction of a cargo facility and the installation of an automated car parking system after the car park’s extension in April.
A shopping mall for local products adjoining the terminal and enhanced CCTV coverage are scheduled for May.