THE testing period at the newly-refurbished check-in area at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) is winding down and authorities there are pushing for full access to this part of the facility before weekend.

Officials had said some weeks ago that testing of the redesigned area was ongoing and had hoped then that more passengers would be able to access the facility once all went well with the checks.

However, the Guyana Chronicle was told that some minor shortcomings needed to be corrected before the facility could be used at full capacity. As it stands, the check-in area is only being used by some passengers as part of the tests.
Among the areas being monitored are space constraint, the operation of electronical and other types of equipment, flight information system, paging system and the cooling system, among others.

This publication was told that so far it was found that the available cooling system is inadequate and corridors may not be wide enough. “We have identified these issues and they are being addressed,” a senior airport staff said.
While the check-in space is expected to be available for full use by passengers, “that does not mean it has been officially handed over,” a source said.
Several passengers using the airport had the opportunity to experience the newly established check-in area.

A senior airport official had said the operational readiness of the facility was what was needed to be tested in various parts of the airport, ahead of its December opening.
“We are currently doing tests on one airline to see if the facility, all the workers, electronics and everything is functioning. And if all goes well, it could be opened by this weekend,” the official had said.

It was mentioned that more than 10 check-in desks would be opened when testing is completed.  A parliamentary tour was hosted by Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson last month where senior government personnel and other officials had a preview of the new facility, as the construction work comes nearer to completion.

The new-look CJIA airport takes into consideration additional space for aircraft parking and a longer runway for takeoff and landing, given the appeal for larger commercial liners in particular to land here.

The facility caters for easier flight access with its two passenger boarding bridges, and larger passenger arrival and departure capacity, among other features.
It is anticipated that passengers should be able to access CJIA’s new arrival terminal later this month.