84 January 2016 - Business View Caribbean
ply with the required aviation security measures and
practices contained in the country’s National Civil Avi-
ation Security Program (NCASP) and other associated
policy documents. CASU is also responsible for review-
ing and approving existing and new aviation security
programs for aircraft operators, airports, cargo com-
panies or regulated agents, air navigation services,
catering companies, AVSEC (Aviation Security) training
organizations, AVSEC instructors, and other aviation
security stakeholders.
This new division has been added to GCAA’s mandate
due to the explosive growth of air traffic in the country
over the preceding decade, and the potential threats
all airports are exposed to. “The industry has grown
significantly over the last ten years,” says Heeralall.
“We have moved from having one international air-
port to two; in 2006, we had about 25 aircraft in our
domestic fleet, owned by private aircraft owners and
operators. At the moment, we have 60 aircraft in addi-
tion to which the generation of the fleet has changed
significantly. Our international airport at Ogle, which is
about 20 minutes from the city, is our hub for our do-
mestic operations. Now, that airport has in excess of a
hundred landings and departures every day.”
Heeralall relates that the international traffic that over-
flies Guyana’s airspace has increased, as well: “Guy-
ana is strategically located to link the south and the
north and provides a shorter route from some parts of
Europe into South America. So, a couple of years ago,
we enhanced our air space and provided additional
Chaitrani Heeralall, GCAA’s Director General
