Guyana’s aviation sector has recorded significant growth over the past five years, with international passenger traffic increasing by 410 per cent, international flights by 180 per cent and weekly airline seats by 171 per cent.

The expansion also saw the number of airlines operating in Guyana increase from six to 22, while international passenger traffic climbed from 205,085 to 1,046,130.

During the opening ceremony of the third ICAO/EASA Regional Safety Oversight Organisations (RSOOs) and Regional Accident and Incident Investigation Organisations (RAIOs) Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Tuesday, His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali underscored the upward trajectory of the sector.

“We are climbing. And the numbers tell their own story of this ascent over the past five years.”

Weekly airline seats increased from 12,952 to 35,160, while domestic passenger traffic grew by 121 per cent, from 120,992 to 267,463.

International flights increased from 3,170 in 2020 to 8,891 in 2025, while overflights rose by 146 per cent, from 9,655 to 23,714. Offshore flights also increased by 105 per cent, from 3,334 to 6,833.

International freight grew by 76 per cent, from 8,755.26 tonnes to 15,408.35 tonnes, while the number of aircraft on the national register increased by 40 per cent, from 78 to 109.

According to the President, the expansion of the sector must be accompanied by stronger safety oversight, modern regulation and greater technical capacity.

He called for standardised transit measures across airports to address perceived inequalities and discrimination against passengers in security protocols.

The President said regulators must also take account of digital advances and artificial intelligence as the aviation sector evolves, while partnerships and technical collaboration must remain central to the modernisation of Guyana’s aviation regulatory framework.

He also announced that Guyana is ready to partner in establishing an internationally accredited aviation educational institution to train the next generation of aviation professionals in every aspect of the sector.

With passenger traffic, flight activity, airline capacity and aircraft numbers all rising sharply, the Head of State explained that Guyana’s aviation sector is entering a new phase of growth—one that must be matched by the regulatory, safety and human-resource capacity needed to support it.