Major role being played by aviation industry in Guyana's development

Domestic aviation has significantly contributed to the growth and development of industry in Guyana and has provided a basis for job creation and investment opportunities throughout the country.

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA) said approximately 57% of incoming passengers by air are tourists utilising both scheduled and chartered air services. As such it is imperative for local operators to provide efficient and competitive services to the traveling public in order to satisfy the increasing demand for tourism travel.

In Guyana civil aviation provides a link between the coastal areas and communities in the hinterland, many of which are inaccessible by other means of transportation.

The GCCA said there is currently a boom in the mining sector and aviation is playing a key role in ensuring goods and supplies meet mining camps in the hinterland areas as the role of aviation in the mining sector is anticipated to be even greater as the price of gold climbs to unprecedented levels.

Further emphasising the direction and importance of aviation, the GCCA said the industry currently employs approximately 2,000 people which will increase as the global industry expands.

The establishment of the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS) as recognised body of the Caribbean Community to share aviation expertise among Member States has served to alleviate the lack of technical expertise and provide the necessary support for technical and regulatory oversight of civil aviation for the Region as a whole and Member States individually.