CJIA undertakes $200M Instrument Landing System project
─ Pilots welcome the development
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, July 2, 2019
As the Cheddi Jagan International Airport’s (CJIA) expansion project continues, a key component of the works is set to be implemented. This will include a new $200M Instrument Landing System (ILS) project.
Speaking to the Department of Public Information (DPI), Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Roraima Group, Captain Gerry Gouveia offered insight into the issues prior to the ILS project. “A lot of times airplanes coming into Guyana early in the morning [such as] Caribbean Airlines and the others would have difficulties if there was fog at the airport.”
The Captain noted, “I am very heartened by the installation of this new landing navigation system because it increases the level of safety and reliability of the airline so that pilots would be able to safely and accurately follow the landing system.”
Meanwhile, Director of Operations within Roraima Airways, Captain Leary Barclay commented on the efficient way the ILS was selected. “We are also very happy with how it was implemented. The Civil Aviation Authority would have sat with us. There were three options. There were some cost considerations and they sat with the industry and they implemented the option that was agreed to by the Civil Aviation Authority and the operators… So, it was a collaborative effort with was a breath of fresh air with how things are being done with the Authority.”
Director of Air Navigation Services (ANS) within CJIA, Rickford Samaroo explained how the project was conceptualised. “The expansion work had required us to remove landing system and so to accommodate the runway extension,” said the ANS Director.
The project is expected to have a major impact on flight operations. Director Samaroo said, “what this [project] does is allow airplanes to operate at lower minimum. That’s for instance, if the weather condition is poor, the system guides airplanes down to the runway as low as 200ft above the runway, at which point the pilot will make a visual descend to continue his landing.”
Other expected outcomes and impacts of the new Instrument Landing System include reductions in operation cost and increases to airport capacity and access. This project will also allow the government to be in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Global Air Navigation Plan for Runways and Vertical Guidance.
The $200M project along with the airport expansion project allows the Coalition Government to work towards the realisation of the United Nations Development Goal number 9, which seeks to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.
Images: Giovannie Gajie, Abike Barker