As Guyana moves to build capacity in civil aviation, an air traffic services school to provide training for Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs), will be established in the country within six months, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has announced.
Newly-appointed Director General of the GCAA, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Egbert Field, on Wednesday said the process for approval for the school is expected to be lengthy, and as such, the regional body – Thee Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS) – will be playing a vital role.
He noted that because of the demand for air traffic controllers, through the arrivals of more flights at Guyana’s main airports, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the Eugene F Correia International Airport, coupled with the rapid growth of the aviation sector; an agreement was signed with eight trainee ATCs who will be undergoing a 14-week training programme in Jamaica and upon their return, will be subjected to training with senior instructors.
The school will be staffed by senior ATCs and will provide training in several other areas in the aviation industry.
Meanwhile, Field said that G$4.1 million, through an underwritten agreement, is being paid by the GCAA for each student to be trained in Jamaica, adding that this investment was made through the vision of the Government to “enhance and empower the youths of this country.”
