GCAA condemns deliberate placement of rocks on Lethem Aerodrome runway

SEE STATEMENT BELOW: 

GCAA CONDEMNS DELIBERATE PLACEMENT OF ROCKS ON LETHEM AERODROME RUNWAY

• Police Investigation Launched

May 30, 2026. GEORGETOWN – The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is alarmed by a deeply troubling incident in which rocks were deliberately placed across the runway of the Lethem Aerodrome, posing a grave and unacceptable threat to the safety of aircraft operations and the lives of passengers, crew, and all persons dependent on this vital regional air transport link.

The GCAA confirms that it is actively working in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force, which has launched a formal investigation into this incident. The Authority calls on members of the public who may have information relating to this act to come forward and assist the police with their enquiries.

The GCAA wishes to remind the public that this conduct constitutes a serious criminal offence 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.”

Furthermore, Section 86 of the Act makes it an offence for any person to intentionally and wilfully interfere or attempt to interfere with air navigation within Guyana, with perpetrators liable on summary conviction to a fine of three million dollars and imprisonment for two years.

The Director General of the GCAA has unequivocally condemned this act.

“The deliberate placement of rocks on the runway of the Lethem Aerodrome is a reckless and irresponsible act that directly compromised aviation safety and endangered the lives of all persons who depend on air operations at this aerodrome. The GCAA will not tolerate any conduct that undermines the safety and security of civil aviation in Guyana, and we are firmly committed to ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.”

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. The safety of the travelling public remains the Authority’s highest priority.