A recently completed international study on the economic impact of Guyana’s aviation sector revealed that it is responsible for over 3,000 jobs locally, according to a news report published by the Department of Public Information.
During a press conference at GCAA in Kingston, Director, Air Transport Management, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Saheed Sulaman revealed that the aviation industry creates 3,490 jobs contributing $6.8B in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and $3.3B in labour income.
The US$50,000 study was executed by Oxford Economics in London in June 2016. It was conducted using a standard model structure to assess the direct, indirect and induced impact of the labour sector and describes both the qualitative and quantitative impact of civil aviation on the economy.
Sulaman explained that the study was conducted on domestic airlines in Guyana at the Cheddi Jagan International and Eugene F. Correia airports including Trans Guyana Airlines, Wings Aviation, Air Services Limited and Jags Aviation, DPI said.
He added that the study excluded “secondary aerodromes” such as the one at Lethem and the other hinterland aerodromes because the data was not readily available for those external aerodromes.
According to DPI, it was noted that 80 percent of foreigners come to Guyana by air. Both tourism and air operations create 12, 040 jobs and roughly a $20B contribution to GDP which is equal to 3.2 percent.
GCAA’s Director General Colonel Egbert Field lauded the study as one which will contribute to the economic future of Guyana. “A study of this type was never done before and now we understand what part aviation plays in the growth of Guyana.”
Another study is expected to be completed within the next two to three years, DPI said.
