CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation Inc. (CJIA), Mr. Ramesh Ghir, said at the Ministry of Public Works’ year-end review, held last Friday in the Minister’s office, that 2012 was a significant year for the CJIA. Reviewing that period, he said the CJIA’s income increased by 46% over 2011 to $1,094M, compared to $748M collected in 2011, and he credited the improved showing to additional rental/concession fees and passenger service charges. He also said the CJIA had transferred some $424M to the Consolidated Fund, which was 33% more than the $319M transferred in 2011.

Expenditure for 2012 amounted to $462M, as compared to $365M spent in 2011.

Passenger statistics

An increase of 13% in passenger arrival was recorded for 2012, as the Immigration Department processed 267,652 passengers for that year, compared to 236,344 which had been processed in 2011; and the total passenger traffic for 2012 was 543,435, or 15% more than what had obtained in 2011.

Imported cargo in 2012 amounted to 2,233 tonnes, representing a 33% decrease in the 2011 figure; and exports amounted to 1,845 tonnes, or a 13 % decrease in what had obtained in 2011.

Aircraft movement was seen as 4,630 international flights in 2012, as compared to 3,908 in 2011.

In 2013, the Airport Expansion project will see construction of a new terminal building, measuring 14,000 sq. ft., which will, inter alia, contain the following: eight passenger boarding bridges, two elevators, and CCTV and departure control systems. This will be complemented with the extension of the main runway by 3,500 ft. to a final length of 10,500 ft., making it capable of accommodating Boeing 747 aircraft.

The final aspect of the project will see construction of nine international parking positions, which will include a position designated for cargo aircraft.

The project will be funded by the Government of China, through the EXIM Bank of China, to a total sum of US$150M. However, CHEC will be executing works to the value of US$138M. Work on the temporary design has already commenced, and actual construction is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2013, with a 32-month period for completion.

Training

Frontline employees of the airport stakeholders received customer service training throughout the year, and senior managers of the CJIA were trained in improving strategies for improving production and performance, leadership, excellence in inspiring and motivating a team for peak performance, and effective performance management in coaching and mentoring for peak performance.

Team building was high on the agenda for 2012, and saw a workshop being held under facilitation of Ms. Sandra Ann Baptiste.

Thirteen persons participated in the ‘Train the Trainers’ programme for instructors, held on September 4 & 5 last year, and were each awarded a certificate on completion.

Safety & Security

Safety and security was another success the CJIA scored in 2012, as seminars were held in the respective areas: radio and telephone, basic first aid, food safety, and airport emergency exercise.
Security at the CJIA was complemented with the collaboration of the Ministry of Home Affairs through a security integration workshop, which helped to address some of the security challenges attending the CJIA.

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) held an audit
which paved the way for the annual certification of the aerodrome.

The staff will be complemented in 2013 with an additional 40 persons, and will see ongoing training in this sector and collaboration of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which has signalled its willingness to conduct continuous training to upgrade the operation of the security unit.

Airlines

Five airlines operated during 2012: Caribbean Airlines, Suriname Airlines, LIAT, Delta, Fly Jamaica, REDjet and EZjet which were suspended.

Caribbean Airlines launched a direct service, BW527, from JFK to CJIA, on February 10, 2012, adding a direct service to Toronto, Canada on the Boeing 767-300 aircraft. It flew a total of 1,594 flights, or 61% of the market share, ferrying 304,929 passengers.
Surinam Airways commenced a round trip service on the Paramaribo/Georgetown/Miami route twice weekly with its 126-seat B737-300 aircraft. It flew a total of 148 flights, and commanded a 1% market share ferrying 6,553 passengers.

LIAT provided a daily service on the Barbados/Georgetown route using its Dash 8 aircraft. It flew a total of 647 flights, and commanded a 7 % market share ferrying 36,460 passengers.

Delta Airlines operated a four-flight weekly service to New York with its Boeing 757 aircraft. It ran 226 flights, and commanded 15% of the market share ferrying 71,513 passengers.
Fly Jamaica provided a flight on August 25, when the 757-200 aircraft arrived here at 21:00hrs and departed at 03:01 hrs with 92 passengers, consisting of members of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, airline staff, and other industry stakeholders. This aircraft was configured with 12 business class seats and 186 economy class seats, for a total of 198 seats.

In March and again in November, two airlines had their flights suspended. Red Jet and EZjet airlines had operated 316 and 253 flights respectively; commanding market shares of 15% and 13% respectively, and transporting 47,306 passengers and 63,689 passengers respectively.

Projections for 2013

This year will see a number of activities as the corporation seeks to improve its service to customers, passengers airlines and others.

Emergency exercises will be conducted on a larger scale at the CJIA, as the expansion project unfolds with rehabilitation of the departure lounge, washrooms etc. A revised airport security programme, which will incorporate another 70 ranks, will come on stream. The installation of lighted signs replacing the reflector type will also commenced soon.