Government is accelerating the expansion of Guyana’s aviation sector under Budget 2026, with major works underway at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and expanded access planned for hinterland communities.

A major component of the plan is the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, where a 15,000-square-foot extension, known as Terminal Two, is being constructed to accommodate rising passenger traffic.

The government has allocated $3.2 billion to advance the project, which is scheduled for completion in 2028, as Guyana continues to see rapid growth in international air travel.

According to Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar, passenger traffic at the airport has surged, with the number of airlines operating in the country increasing.

“We are building terminal two at CGI because of the number of people that are coming. We started in 2020, we had four airlines, Suriname, Copa, American, and another one, four of them, right? Caribbean airlines, four of them. Now we have about 16. And the percent of traffic now is year on year, we keep climbing, close to a million now. So the terminal that we have, the size and capacity is outgoing. So we’re building terminal two,” the minister said as he recently outlined how the budgetary provisions will advance works in his sectors.

The government is expanding hinterland airstrips to enhance access and reduce travel costs for interior communities, with airstrips in Madha, Mabaruma, and other locations undergoing rehabilitation or preparation for construction.

“So, we have about $4 billion in the budget to build some of the aerodromes, but there’s another 35 that will go to tender to make sure that we build them with a different model to get it done quickly, so that everybody can benefit,” the minister further stated.

In addition, the government plans to establish an aviation school in Guyana to train pilots, engineers, and air traffic controllers.

This initiative is part of a strategy to position Guyana as a regional aviation hub.