CJIA runway, taxiway slated for major overhaul

Jun 23, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – The Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation in its plans to upgrade the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) this year, is seeking bids for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Taxiway Charlie, and the main runway at the facility.

This is according to an invitation for bids issued by the ministry which was published in Sunday’s Kaieteur News.

No engineer’s estimates were stated in the ministry’s advertisement for the two projects, but it noted that bids are expected to open on 14^th July, 2026 at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

The projects will form part of the $140B approved for the ministry in this year’s budget. It was reported that out of the $140B, the government set aside $3,655,586,000 for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation for the terminal project and upgrading of facilities.

Taxiways are the roadways that airplanes use to get to and from the runway. They connect the runway with the ramp and parking area, while the main runway is a space dedicated for aircraft to land onto or take-off from.

Regarding the works planned for the taxiway Charlie and the main runway, Kaieteur News reached out to CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramesh Ghir.

According to information provided by the corporation, the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the main runway and Taxiway Charlie are required to address the “natural degradation” caused by continuous aircraft operations and to ensure the long-term safety and efficiency of the airport.

“The sustained volume and weight of modern aircraft movements exert cumulative mechanical stress on airfield pavements. Over time, these repeated loading demands naturally lead to structural fatigue and surface wear, making comprehensive intervention necessary. The main runway has sustained over two decades of high-impact use since its last rehabilitation in 2005, while Taxiway Charlie has gone more than 35 years without major reconstruction,” CJIA explained.

Kaieteur News understands that by proactively reconstructing these critical assets, the airport secures its capacity to handle future traffic demands safely, reliably, and without operational disruption.

Meanwhile, back in 2022, the Ministry of Public Works had advertised for Taxiway Charlie to be repaired. The project was estimated to cost $15M at the time.

Speaking with the Department of Public Information back in May 2022, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill said, “[The] Taxiway Charlie has been in a state of disrepair that was not a part of the Chinese contract. The Cheddi Jagan International Airport is responsible for that as a corporation and that is the Taxiway Charlie that is being addressed. This is not the runway, this is taxiway.” 

The minister said the repairs to the taxiway are part of the overall modernisation of the CJIA.

“The maintenance of taxiways are normal things. It is just like a road where the aircraft has to use to get to the runway. Time after time various pieces of equipment and machinery use that, they are dripping of oil, there are cracks, damage as a result of weight and taxiway Charlie has experienced some amount of deterioration and all that we are doing is fixing taxiway Charlie which is separate and distinct from the new runway that was built,” he told DPI.

The country’s main airport in Timehri is undergoing extensive upgrades by the government to meet international standards. Recently, through the Public Utilities and Aviation Ministry, CJIA issued a tender for the rehabilitation of the lounge and food court, and another for the construction of a new Air Traffic Control Tower.

As previously reported, the contract for the airport expansion project was signed in 2011, under President Bharrat Jagdeo’s tenure, with China Harbour and Engineering Corporation (CHEC).

The Jagdeo-led administration acquired a US$138M loan from the China Exim Bank, and used US$12M from the Consolidated Fund (taxpayers’money) for the total project cost of US$150M. Jagdeo said that the US$150M contract was signed with CHEC for a new airport. However, he said it was the coalition government that made changes which resulted in it being a rehabilitation project.

According to reports, upon assuming office in 2015, the David Granger administration deemed the airport plan defective, necessitating adjustments.

Subsequently, in August 2020, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill expressed dissatisfaction with the contractor’s work. Consequently, negotiations resulted in additional works being undertaken by CHEC at no extra cost to Guyana. These enhancements included a superstructure, corridor, and curtain wall.

While the US$150M rehabilitation works by CHEC is complete, the PPP-administration has substantially increased spending for the modernisation of the airport, albeit falling below international standards and expectations.

Part of the additional work by the PPP government included the construction of a new commercial centre, VIP lounge, upgraded tarmac or aircraft parking areas, administrative office, and an improved baggage handling facility.  In addition, last year, government turned the sod for the construction of a second arrival terminal at the airport. Terminal 2 will feature business lounges, expanded concessions, and facilities to handle the increasing global demand.  The airport upgrades, which also include runway expansion and modernised bridges, are all strategic steps to prepare Guyana to become a major aviation hub, Minister Edghill stated.

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• aviation, CJIA, CJIA runway, taxiway

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