The rescue and fire-fighting capacity at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport has been downgraded by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
However, the GCAA says the airport remains safe.
According to Demerara Waves online News, GCAA Director-General, Retired Lt. Col. Egbert Field declined to provide any information about the recent downgrade in that category to number five, citing the need to ensure confidentiality of all inspections.
However, Demerara Waves Online News pointed to trusted sources who stated that the CJIA has been downgraded from category eight to category five because of limitations both in the fire tenders and number of personnel assigned to that airport.
Based on the GCAA’s own benchmarks, category five means the availability of 8,100 litres of water to assist Level A foam.
The ICAO says Level A foam must be able to extinguish hydrocarbon fire in an area of 2.8m2.
Prior to the downgrade before the expiration of the certification at the end of September 2025, the CJIA’s rescue and firefighting capacity had enjoyed a category eight rating that would have allowed for the provision of at least 27,300 litres of water to assist Level A foam in putting out a hydrocarbon fire in the same area.