Operations at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri seem to be running smoothly even as increased flights are arriving daily.
Stabroek News was on hand at the airport yesterday, as a LIAT flight from Barbados arrived and observed that the processing of passengers seemed to be going smoothly and quickly. Though there were not many passengers at the time, there were lots of customs and immigration officers on hand and they seemed to be handling the flow of passengers efficiently.
However, problems with the non-arrival of luggage have surfaced and one woman who had just arrived told Stabroek News that she was given a form and told to check back in the evening for her luggage. She complained that she had paid US$150 because her luggage was over the weight limit and it still had not arrived.
Chief Executive Officer of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Malcolm Speed and several other officials arrived on that flight and after their documents were processed on the tarmac were quickly whisked away in BMWs.
Meanwhile, a Government Information Agency (GINA) release has stated that hundreds of visitors are coming into the country and for those who came within the last two days, the majority have come through the single domestic space. GINA said Tourism Minister Manniram Prashad expressed optimism that Guyana will be able to achieve its projected 30,000 visitors during the matches and urged Guyanese to ensure that visitors have a memorable stay and that they enjoy true Guyanese hospitality.
Stabroek News observed yesterday as arriving passengers went through the formalities. Some wore the Caricom single domestic space band signifying that they had already been through another Caricom member territory that had signed the agreement, a few didn’t and they had to complete the necessary documents there. This seemed to go smoothly.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of the CJIA Ramesh Ghir said so far no problems have been encountered. He noted that security at the airport has been beefed up, additional customs and immigration officers have been positioned and the ground staff has been increased as well. He declared that with the additional space in the customs and immigration areas, and the addition of another “green lane” for passengers who had nothing to declare, processing was being done faster and more efficiently. He revealed that a new public address system is expected to be commissioned today and plasma televisions are going to be installed in the customs area for cricket viewing shortly. Asked why the viewing gallery was not yet opened, Ghir said there was a delay in getting equipment for the concession stand though everything is expected to be in place later this week. He added that the airport taxi system has been regularized with a dispatch desk for the taxis now being used and the drivers wearing uniforms. He noted that newly acquired equipment has been put into use.
Meanwhile, on stepping off the aircraft incoming passengers were welcomed by giant posters of Clive Lloyd and Rohan Kanhai and were greeted by Guyana Volunteers who distributed maps and booklets depicting Guyana. The passengers were also treated to rum punch by Demerara Distillers Ltd (DDL) staff and pieces of barbequed chicken by El Sol Importers staffers. However, the chicken was cold, probably from the air conditioning in the building. Inside the arrivals area, there were more posters of West Indian cricketers, past and present, and scenes of Georgetown. A few of the volunteers with whom Stabroek News spoke said they were there because they wanted to give visitors a positive image of Guyana and also because they viewed it as a privilege to be there. They said that they were no strangers to volunteering as they had done it before with other organizations. Asked if they had had any problems, Supervisor of the Guyana Volunteers at the airport Maimoon Budhoo stated that they were all enjoying it and were able to assist a number of persons, some of whom did not speak English. Budhoo said the volunteers will be at the airport until April 14 with two sets working on daily shifts. She noted that as they will be the first impression of Guyana visitors receive, their job is very important.
Early in the day, in the waiting area a combination of African and Tassa drummers were providing music but by the time Stabroek News left in the afternoon they were nowhere around.
Meantime while the first match in Guyana will be contested today between Sri Lanka and South Africa, even more visitors are expected to arrive in the country.
Ghir said that on average 14 scheduled flights are arriving daily when at the same time last year it was just about ten. He said the airport will be able to cope with the increased flow as he said that during the recently concluded Rio Summit at least 15 aircraft were on the ground at one time and the airport has the “capacity to handle much more flights”.
