CJIA earned over $1B in 2013

CJIAGeorgetown: The country’s main port of entry, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) generated over $1 billion in revenue in 2013, but saw a reduction of 12 per cent in visitor arrivals, as a result of Delta Airlines pulling out of Guyana in May.

The airport’s total expenditure for 2013 amounted to $588 million as compared to the $493 million spent for the same period in 2012. This increase in expenditures was mainly due to additional staffing.

The total passenger movements for 2013 amounted to 479,177 compared to 543,374 in 2012, while the airport recorded 3811 international aircraft movements up to December 2013 as compared to 4640 for the same period in 2012.

Imported cargo amounted to 2287 tonnes; a five per cent increase over the previous year, while exports amounted to 2462 tonnes or a 36 per cent increase over that of 2012.

In November, CJIA hosted its simulated aircraft crash, which was conducted to test the preparedness of the airport to respond to an actual emergency.  While there were challenges, a team of critics drawn from the GCAA, the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, the Civil Defence Commission, the Health Ministry and airline operators, deemed the activity a success. About 300 persons participated, including five medical institutions and over 70 police officers.