Airstrips incursions: Local airlines call for better inspections, perimeter security, wildlife control at runways

Local airlines have called on the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and other stakeholders to ensure better inspections, perimeter security and wildlife control measures to address the issue of animal incursions at hinterland airstrips. The call was made via a statement issued on Monday by the Aviation Operators’ Association of Guyana (AOAG) and comes on the heels of an animal incursion forcing a Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) plane to run off the runway at Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini). According to the AOAG, “the recent aircraft occurrence at Mabaruma has again brought public attention to the issue of runway incursions.”

It said while the circumstances of that occurrence are subject to investigation by the GCAA, the wider problem of animals and persons entering aerodrome operating areas has long been a concern to aircraft operators. “An aircraft taking off or landing is operating at a critical phase of flight. The sudden appearance of a dog, cow, horse, pig, bird, person, vehicle or other obstruction on a runway can leave a pilot with only seconds to react. Avoiding a collision may require a rejected take-off, go-around, emergency braking or evasive action, any of which can place passengers, crew and the aircraft at considerable risk,” the association emphasised. It explained that hinterland aerodromes are essential lifelines for many communities, providing access to medical evacuation, food and supplies, passenger transportation, Government services, tourism and emergency response. “Protecting these aerodromes must therefore be a shared responsibility,” the AOAG said. In this regard, the association urged residents living near aerodromes to keep livestock away from airport boundaries, refrain from crossing runways or damaging perimeter fences, and immediately report animals, persons or other hazards observed within restricted airport areas. “We also encourage the relevant authorities, aerodrome operators and aircraft operators to continue strengthening runway inspections, perimeter security, wildlife-control measures and mechanisms for reporting and responding to hazards. The objective must not be to assign blame, but to prevent an avoidable tragedy,” the AOAG emphasised. According to the association, “a runway is not a roadway, footpath or grazing area. When an aircraft is taking off or landing, even a few seconds can mean the difference between a normal operation and a serious accident.” The AOAG said it therefore calls upon communities throughout Guyana to help protect hinterland aerodromes and the lives of everyone who depends upon them. “The AOAG also calls upon the GCAA to assert its authority to ensure that all of our aerodromes are regulated to observe and meet the required safety standards,” the statement added.

On September 17, a TGA Cessna Caravan aircraft with registration 8R-GCC was forced to run off the runway at Mabaruma as a result of an animal incursion onto the runway, causing considerable damage to the aircraft and endangering passenger safety, while the aircraft was landing. In a statement following the incident, TGA raised concerns about the issue of animal incursion on hinterland runways. “The matter of animal and, indeed, human invasion of hinterland airports owned and operated by the Government and currently under significant expansion and development, is of considerable concern to Trans Guyana Airways and, indeed, a continuing threat to all commercial and private aircraft utilising these aerodromes which are not under required supervision,” Trans Guyana said. In fact, the airline highlighted that it previously brought this matter to the attention of the GCAA on June 16, 2026 and September 9, 2026. Moreover, in the statement, TGA said it remains at the disposal of the GCAA, together with all other licensed aircraft operators, in collaboration with the AOAG, to have this matter urgently and satisfactorily addressed.