I was a bit bemused by A Partnership for National Unity vocal member Carl Greenidge, as he eloquently argued his position on the Cheddi Jagan International Airport(CJIA) expansion project.In his letter, which was published in the Stabroek News September 4 edition, Mr. Greenidge penned that an extended runway is needed but not a new terminal building.

I could not help but smile and shake my head at this senseless remark; is this man for real?
The existing CJIA facility has reached a point where airlines are complaining that they cannot process their passengers in a timely manner, because there is not enough space to accommodate the equipment and staffing necessary to make this process a seamless and pleasant one.
Let’s examine this rationally:if the runway is extended, it means larger trans-atlantic flights with more passengers frequenting the airport on a daily basis. Yet, Mr Greenidge has not envisioned, or should I say refuses to admit, that it would create a messy situation, especially the buildup of passengers waiting to be processed.
With the current terminal building, our international airport would fail miserably. If two or three large flights with 300-400 passengers each were to arrive almost simultaneously, the lines will meander from the Arrivals Hall to maybe the stairs of the aircraft. That is not an exaggeration! And with no boarding bridges, the passengers would have to endure the long wait in Guyana’s sunny or rainy conditions.
I paint this realistic scenario to make this bold statement, to support a longer runway without expanding the terminal building is impractical, and that is putting it mildly.
It makes one scratch his or her head and wonder if Mr. Greenidge has seriously contemplated the ramifications in his musings. And while it’s commendable that he supports the runway extension and its viability, I think Mr. Greenidge needs to seek further guidance on this industry and how it truly operates
One would hope that this project that will be looked at holistically and as a long-term developmental project for Guyana. Please Mr Greenidge and APNU, do not continue to destroy the future of our children because of egoism and a failure to rise above partisan politics.