The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has processed more than 750,000 passengers in 2024, according to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill.
In 2023, international passenger movements were 17 per cent increase when compared to 2022.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill
This surge in activity at CJIA Edghill said reflects the increased global interest in Guyana as a premier travel destination, fueled by its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and burgeoning oil and gas industry.
“To date, we have processed over 750,000 passengers at CJIA which is 20,000 more that than all of 2023…We have increased seat capacity; we’ve added another 206,000 airline seats and 105,000 more passenger movement in 2024 alone.”
“By the end of this year we are anticipating the processing of over 1 million passengers at all ports of entry in Guyana” Edghill said.
Edghill explained that the influx of passengers is attributed to several factors, including the booming oil and gas industry, which has drawn thousands of international investors and workers, as well as government initiatives to promote tourism.
New and expanded routes by major airlines, including American Airlines, JetBlue, and Caribbean Airlines, have contributed to the increase in international traffic. Furthermore, the government’s ongoing efforts to position Guyana as a hub for business and leisure travel have borne fruit.
The minister noted that CJIA’s performance aligns with broader national goals to modernize infrastructure and boost the aviation sector.
“We have attracted numerous international airlines and we are expanding connectivity to key destinations. This growth is driven by strategic investments in infrastructure, increased demand for air travel and the country is emerging economic prominence” he said.
“Guyana’s aviation sector is thriving and is driven by increased connectivity. We continued our infrastructural development that must accompany the growing demand for air travel. By the 31st of December we would have significantly advanced the commercial centre that is being build out and we hope by then that we will be able to have a number of concessions in place”.
Cargo
Meanwhile, CJIA has seen an increase in the amount of cargo handled by the airport.
According to Edghill, the increase in cargo movement at CJIA is driven by the thriving agricultural industry, particularly, the need for air cargo services to swiftly transport crops and agricultural products to international markets.
“Those who are in the airline business knows that passengers are not the real cream of the business but cargo is and we have also been seeing growth in the movement of cargo. At CJIA, we have processed 11,276 tonnes of cargo in 2023- a 20 percent increase in 2022. In 2024, cargo movement have increased by a further 19 percent and we are expected to close 2024 with 13,500 tonnes”. (G1)
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