Dear Editor,
I refer to an article in Thursday’s Stabroek News relative to the need for enhanced air traffic control mechanisms at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
While Guyana does not boast the best airport in the world I think everyone would agree that tremendous reforms have been made in the air traffic control and other aspects of the facility at Timehri.
These include:
* Three new Central Windsock Systems valued $2M which were recently installed to assist Traffic Controllers and pilots with wind direction and speed.
* $2.8M for two pairs of Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL) to aid pilots in identifying the parameters of the runway.
* The main runway was resurfaced and new lights installed and work is underway for additional remote aircraft parking facility.
The foregoing is just a fraction of the air traffic control measures instituted to facilitate the hosting of CWC 2007.
Additionally, the VIP Lounge was renovated and a road with a canopy in front of the Arrivals area was constructed. Three baggage scanners, 1 Hand baggage scanner and two Walk Thru metal detectors were acquired at a cost of $29M.
An automatic change-over switch for the airport’s generator system was procured at a cost of $13M.
Additionally, a sewage treatment plant was constructed and the existing sewage lines and public wash rooms were upgraded. I am positive that any reasonable onlooker would acknowledge that efforts have been made not just in the area of air traffic control but general airport development in Guyana.
Yours faithfully,
Jason Hinds
