Guyana’s lone international airport, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) over the years has undergone a dramatic transformation from what it was a couple of decades ago and today while there is scope for more improvement the international terminal is now comparable to other airports in the region. The airport which had its origins in what was then the Atkinson airfield became the Timehri International Airport under the previous government which allowed it to deteriorate into a decrepit condition.
During that period the airport was characterised by leaky roofs, poor lighting, a virtual non-existence of sanitary facilities and water supply and customer services were abominable. The conditions were simply disgraceful and embarrassing to the Guyanese people because the first impression visitors have of a country is determined largely by the conditions and quality of service they are greeted with at the port of arrival.
Unfortunately, many Guyanese seem to have forgotten what the airport was like or choose to conveniently forget. Nevertheless, no one can deny the fact that the facility has been transformed beyond recognition not only in terms of infrastructure, landscape and technology but its customer service as well.
This dramatic improvement at the CJIA is one of the many positives which has taken place under this administration but is hardly mentioned by some who only seem to see negatives and nothing else.
However, this government in recognition of the importance international airports to economic development has worked consistently to bring tangible improvements at CJIA. And there are still more plans for further improvement.
Through private sector initiatives travellers have access to many facilities which previously were unavailable and only recently another local entrepreneur has added his weight to the range of services being offered at the Duty Free Shop. This time in the jewellery field, as one of Guyana’s top gemology and jewellery establishments King’s Jewellery World (KJW) has established a branch there.
More such business initiatives are needed at the airport because international airports are one of the best sites for a country to showcase itself and the business sector, particularly the manufacturing and tourism sectors to advertise and promote their products because of the obvious large numbers of people who traverse airports.
President and CEO of Aerports de Montreal, James Cherry points out that airports are a major force in the local, regional and national economy with an impact that goes well beyond the airport fence and as globalisation continues to take hold, the competitiveness of industry is increasing relying on airports and the aviation infrastructure.
He adds that with rising passenger and cargo traffic infrastructure improvements, the importance of airports as economic catalysts will only increase in the future.
It is therefore only obvious that a country like Guyana which is on the verge of economic take off continue to improve and expand its aviation infrastructure. And it is most reassuring that our government is very proactive in this regard.