IN order to enhance its aviation infrastructure and foster economic and tourism expansion, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has forged a partnership with Grupo Puntacana, a prominent airport developer and operator from the Dominican Republic.
This collaboration, formalised through a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marks a pivotal step in CJIA’s ambitious expansion efforts designed to boost passenger capacity and enrich the travel experience for both tourists and locals.
Under the terms of the MoU, CJIA, and Grupo Puntacana will coalesce their expertise and resources to develop a new terminal building, a venture that is pivotal for accommodating the expected surge in air travel demand.
This need for expansion is largely attributed to Guyana’s booming economy and its burgeoning tourism sector.
“This MoU signifies a significant step forward in CJIA’s expansion plans, aimed at increasing passenger capacity and enhancing the overall travel experience for visitors and residents alike,” the airport’s release noted.
The partnership with Grupo Puntacana represents the second major collaboration announced by the Government of Guyana for the airport’s development, following a similar agreement with the Manchester Airport Group (MAG) last year.
That MoU focused on constructing a second terminal and enhancing management practices at the airport.
The Government of Guyana is keen on engaging with reputable airport developers to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and elevate passenger service quality.
“The Government of Guyana continues to engage and leverage reputable airport developers with expertise in airport operations to streamline procedures, enhance efficiency, and elevate the quality of service provided to passengers,” according to the CJIA release.
These strategic partnerships are part of a comprehensive plan to transform CJIA into a leading airport in the region, setting new benchmarks in airport management and customer satisfaction.
In 2022, CJIA also collaborated with the Houston Airport System, which played a crucial role in introducing United Airlines to the Houston/Georgetown route, further connecting Guyana with the global air travel network.