New baggage handling system at CJIA to be operational next month

The new state-of-the-art baggage handling system at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) is expected to become fully operational by the end of September. This was disclosed by Vashana Lall, engineering and maintenance manager at CJIA, in a video uploaded to President Dr Irfaan Ali’s Facebook page on Thursday. “This will be completed soon and you won’t be having this congested area here anymore in the check-in. Just the way it happens internationally, in London, JFK, or any international airport, the passengers will come to the check-in counter, they will weigh the bags, the bags will be taken onto the conveyor belt to be screened and then onto the aircraft,” Lall explained. Once fully operational, this system will vastly improve the traveler experience by allowing passengers to drop off their checked bags directly at the airline counters, where screening will then be conducted remotely. To support this initiative, new and modern baggage scanner are also being installed to ensure seamless backend operations.

Furthermore, this upgrade is expected to significantly boost airline operational efficiency and inject a high level of integrity into the entire check-in system. To ensure maximum safety and accountability, several new cameras are being installed to provide full, uninterrupted CCTV coverage from the moment a bag is checked until it is safely placed onto the aircraft. Law enforcement officers and baggage screeners will also be required to wear body cameras. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CJIA, Ramesh Ghir, previously remarked that “this upgrade represents a major shift in how we process departures.” He added that, “passengers will no longer be required to manually take their checked luggage to a separate scanner after checking in, making the journey through our airport significantly smoother and more stress-free.” Moreover, commenting on these stringent security measures, Ghir had emphasised, “we are introducing multiple layers of accountability. The integration of advanced CCTV coverage alongside body-worn cameras for our screeners and law enforcement personnel ensures total transparency, reinforces safety and secures the integrity of our entire baggage handling operation.” CJIA previously noted that the project is part of ongoing efforts to modernise operations and enhance the travel experience at Guyana’s main international gateway. Earlier this year, the Government said it is advancing plans to introduce an automated passenger identification system at the CJIA, to reduce processing times for Guyanese travellers. Public Utilities and Aviation Minister, Deodat Indar had said that the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to position Guyana as a regional aviation hub. The national e-ID card infrastructure will support the new system and will use biometric technology to identify Guyanese upon arrival. Guyanese travellers will be able to move seamlessly through the airport, with facial recognition triggering automated gates. “We want when you come off the plane, you walk straight through. The system must recognise that you are a citizen. Your face will appear on a screen, the system will signal the gate to open, and you will walk through. You don’t have to see anybody as a Guyanese,” Minister Indar dad explained.