– Owners can be prosecuted

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is alarmed by the increasing frequency of animals crossing aerodrome runways across the country.  

The GCAA unequivocally condemns any act that obstructs aviation operations. The deliberate or negligent release of animals onto runways constitutes a direct and unacceptable threat to the safety of passengers, flight crews, and aircraft. Such actions are reckless, endanger lives, and will not be tolerated under any circumstances. These disruptions are serious criminal offenses under the Civil Aviation Act 2018.

Anyone found responsible for compromising aviation safety will be prosecuted to the fullest extent and subjected to severe legal penalties. The safety and security of the aviation sector remain paramount, and the GCAA, in partnership with law enforcement, will ensure rigorous enforcement and decisive action against offenders.

The GCAA hereby reminds the public that under the Civil Aviation Act 2018. Specifically, Section 83(1) of the Act provides:

“Any person who trespasses on any land forming part of an aerodrome or causes any animal to trespass on such land commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of one million dollars and to imprisonment for six months.”

The GCAA urges the public to treat all aerodromes as safety-critical infrastructure and to immediately report any suspicious activity or threats to aerodrome operations to the relevant authorities, or anonymously to GCAA’s Hotline 608-4222. SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING, DO SOMETHING. The safety of the travelling public remains the Authority’s highest priority.