Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill yesterday urged the newly appointed Board of Directors of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri to embark on initiatives that will transform and modernise the services of the facility.
Edghill delivered the charge to the six-member board, which is chaired by attorney Sanjeev Datadin, during an installation ceremony held in the Board-room of the CJIA. The other members of the board are David Ramdehol, Sean Richmond, Savitree Sharma, Daun Ellis and Dr Amarnauth Dukhi.
“We must look at the management and the modernisation of the airport… With your collective wisdom, I am sure there is more than a 100 years of experience. You were chosen from the different fields of expertise which I believe you will use for the development of this facility. You have the foundation work here… improve and build on it…” the minister, who has the responsibility for the aviation sector, told the newly installed board.
Edghill said Guyana’s premier airport must be able to provide services to the aviation sector beyond boarding and disembarking. He stated that the airport must aim to become a hub that will connect Guyana to the Caribbean and South America and even provide the option of becoming a stopover destination.
“We just can’t provide boarding and disembarking, we have to provide the finest restaurants. We must be able to have executive lounges not just personalised lounges based on an airline. We must be able to have adequate internet connectivity… with a period being for free so that passengers who come off, whether in transit or travelling through the city to their final destination, must be able to have quick communication…,” Edghill emphasised.
He added that the airport should begin to consider the option of improving parking for vehicles and offering long term parking options for businesses and individuals who would wish to park their vehicles at the airport on the day of departure and wish to drive home upon return.
Additionally, Edghill stated that security of the airport should not be compromised at any point.
“Whether it is the VIP lounge or the executive lounge, our services must not be used or abuse to facilitate the movement of illicit drugs and other prohibited items. We must ensure everyone goes through the protocols and are compliant with our rules… so when we are audited, we can be complaint and our rankings can go high,” the minister pointed out.
With regards to transportation services provided by the airport, the minister said he will like to see improvement and called on the airport’s management to implement a taxi service which is “warm and welcoming.” He noted that returning passengers and first time visitors should not be subjected to touting. On this note, he recommended that the airport implement a turn system where everyone will have a fair chance and passengers will not be harassed.
“No taxi driver must refuse a passenger because of their religion, colour or destination. A taxi driver from the airport is more than a transportation provider, they are the security, tour guide, the person who can take me to get good food and my confidante in a strange country…,” the minister pointed out.
He also stated that the airport should considered the establishment of an airport hotel to cater for lengthy layovers and outgoing passengers who need to travel from out of town locations to reach to the airport on time.
