Air traffic controllers recognised as Guyana’s aviation sector expands

Air traffic controllers are being recognised for their role in keeping aircraft and passengers safe, as Guyana’s expanding aviation activity places greater demands on the country’s air navigation services.

Thus, the nation joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Air Traffic Controller Day under the theme “Attract them, Value them, Keep them” on Tuesday.

Deputy Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Dr Saheed Sulaman, extended appreciation to the staff on behalf of the Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar, and GCAA Director General Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field A.A.

He said recruiting and retaining skilled controllers required a collective effort.

“Attracting talent, valuing the talent, and keeping the talent of the people. It’s a collective responsibility,” he said.

Dr Sulaman highlighted the largely unseen work of controllers, whose decisions help ensure passengers reach their destinations, cargo arrives safely and patients on medical evacuation flights receive timely care.

“And when you do your job perfectly, nobody notices. The sky is safe. The plane lands. Nobody notices. The family goes home,” Dr Sulaman said.

He added that their work is “quiet heroism”, noting that controllers are an essential part of Guyana’s aviation safety system.

Their contribution, he said, is becoming increasingly important as passenger numbers and aircraft movements grew.

To this end, he reported more than one million passenger movements between January and September, including about 794,000 international passenger movements.

He said, “Behind every one of those numbers is a steady voice on the radio, a clear instruction, a decision made in seconds. The growing traffic tells the world one thing: there is confidence in Guyana’s air navigation services. And that confidence was earned by you.”

Dr Sulaman also outlined government’s plan to strengthen aviation infrastructure, which includes a control tower relocation project valued at approximately $4 billion.

He said a contract for the project could be signed as early as this week.

Other investments include an instrument landing system, an automated weather observation system, and upgrades and repairs to existing facilities.

He also pointed to the commissioning of a search and rescue system this year as part of efforts to strengthen emergency response.

Dr Sulaman said investment in infrastructure must be accompanied by continued support for the people responsible for managing aircraft movements safely.

So, he urged management and controllers to approach the sector’s development as a partnership, with shared responsibility for maintaining public confidence and aviation safety.

Meanwhile, the celebration saw the handing over of awards and tokens for the diligent works undertaken by air traffic controllers.

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