Cheddi Jagan International Airport, formerly Timehri International Airport, is Guyana’s primary airport. The airport is located on the right bank of the Demerara River in the city of Timehri, 41 kilometres south of Georgetown, the capital of Guyana. It is the larger of the two international airports serving Georgetown and is used as a primary port for private jet flights.
The airport is located 29 metres above mean sea level and has two runways with asphalt pavements. The terminal has six ground-level gates and four boarding bridges.
Guyana private jet charter prices
Although Cheddi Jagan Airport air charter fees depend on variables such as the number of passengers, departure airport, flight time, aircraft position, flight date, the prices for private jet charter from Istanbul → Georgetown are as follows.
Heavy Jet | 115.200 EUR |
Long Range Jet | 138.850 EUR |
VIP Airliner | 192.550 EUR |
These prices are average amounts and you can contact us on our flight reservation screen or by phone for the most accurate price information.
Detailed history of Cheddi Jagan Airport
In 1941, under the Destroyers for Bases Agreement between the United States and Britain, the United States obtained the right to station its military facilities in British Guiana. The first US troops arrived on 14 June 1941 to survey the site for a bomber airfield near Georgetown. The airfield, called Atkinson Field, was built on 28 hectares of land known as Hyde Park on the Demerara River, 45 kilometres from Georgetown.
The airfield served as the colony’s defence against German U-boats. It was also an important staging point for American aircraft en route to the European Front on the South Atlantic transport route. Aircraft supplied by the United States to British forces were flown to Atkinson and transported to North Africa. In 1943, with the discovery of bauxite deposits in northeastern Brazil, the airfield’s mission was expanded to protect the northeast coast of South America and prevent Axis forces from submarine access to the continent.
In 1941, Atkinson Field was assigned to the United States Air Force’s 430th Bombardment Squadron, 9th Bombardment Group, flying anti-submarine sorties with Douglas B-18 bombers. The 430th Squadron served until 31 October 1942 and was replaced by the 35th Bombardment Squadron (25th Bombardment Group) from 1 November 1942 to 7 October 1943. At the end of the war, Atkinson Field’s activities were curtailed and on 1 October 1946 it was opened to all air travel, including commercial flights. In 1948 the air base was renamed Atkinson Air Force Base, but due to budget cuts it was ordered closed on 31 July 1949. At closure, the military personnel numbered 3 officers and 25 enlisted men, and the base was officially handed over to the British authorities on 1 August 1949.
On 15 March 1952, a modern terminal building was constructed and put into service. However, on 5 August 1959, the new building was completely destroyed by fire and the old terminal building was renovated and reused.
In 1961, Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) began operating Boeing 707 aircraft on the weekly route Paramaribo – Georgetown – Port of Spain – Barbados – New York City. During the same period, Pan Am operated weekly flights with Douglas DC-6 aircraft on the Belém – Cayenne – Paramaribo – Georgetown – Port of Spain – Caracas – Curacao – Port Au Prince – Miami route. Also in 1961, British West Indian Airways (BWIA) was operating all flights with Vickers Viscount turboprop aircraft, flying directly to Port of Spain and serving Barbados directly with a single stop. BWIA then began offering jet service with Boeing 727-100 aircraft in the mid-1960s and by 1966 was operating all of its passenger services with 727s and flying to Paramaribo as well as direct flights to Port of Spain. In addition, all cargo flights, operated with Douglas DC-4 prop aircraft, were diverted directly to Port of Spain and Miami.
Under an agreement, the United States was granted certain rights with respect to the air base, while the lease of the facility was officially terminated on 26 May 1966. In 1965 and 1968, additions were made to the airport facilities. On 1 May 1969, Atkinson Aerodrome was renamed “Timehri International Airport” and decorated with murals by Guyanese artist Aubrey Williams using Amerindian motifs. In 1971, BWIA began flying Boeing 707 jets to Port of Spain with a daily direct service from the airport. In 1973, ALM Antillean Airlines operated DC-9 jet service three times a week on the Paramaribo – Georgetown – Port of Spain – Curacao – Kingston – Miami route. In 1977, Air France was flying the Boeing 737-200 twice a week on the route Pointe-a-Pitre – Fort-de-France – Port of Spain – Georgetown – Paramaribo – Cayenne. In 1980, Pan Am operated daily flights to New York JFK Airport via Port of Spain. In 1981, Guy-America Airways organised direct flights between New York JFK Airport and Guyana three days a week with a Boeing 707 jet.
In 1983, four airlines, ALM Antillean Airlines, Arrow Air, British West Indies Airways (BWIA) and Guyana Airways, joined the ranks of airlines offering regular passenger flight service. According to OAG, at this time, ALM operated direct flights to Port of Spain with McDonnell Douglas MD-80 jets, while Guyana Airways operated non-stop flights with Boeing 707s to Barbados, Miami, New York JFK Airport, Paramaribo, Suriname and Port of Spain. In addition, Guyana Airways operated local and regional flights with Hawker Siddeley 748 and de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter turboprop aircraft. By 1989, two airlines, Guyana Airways and Tropical Airways, were operating non-stop flights between New York JFK Airport and GEO. In 1993, Guyana Airways operated non-stop Boeing 757-200 flights from New York JFK Airport to GEO. BWIA and Leisure Air operated direct one-stop flights from New York JFK Airport, with intermediate stops in Antigua and St. Lucia, respectively. In 1995, Barbados-based Carib Express was serving destinations in the Caribbean region with British Aerospace BAe 146-100 jets.
Following the death of Guyana’s President Dr Cheddi Jagan in March 1997, then Vice President Samuel Hinds decided to rename the airport Cheddi Jagan International Airport. Amerindian Affairs Minister Vibert De Souza presented the proposal to rename the airport to the House of Assembly, stating that it would be a fitting mark of respect for a man who dedicated his life to the betterment of the Amerindian people and to fighting for the freedom and unity of all Guyanese. A plaque bearing the new name was unveiled by Prime Minister Janet Jagan on 21 May 1997.
Cheddi Jagan International Airport underwent a $150 million modernisation and expansion. The runway was lengthened to approximately 3200 metres and the expansion provided a new arrival terminal building with eight boarding bridges, lifts and CCTV. This was completed in December 2018, but the check-in facility opened at the same time. In March 2023, British Airways began serving London Gatwick Airport with Boeing 777 aircraft via Saint Lucia..
Places to visit in Georgetown
Georgetown, the capital of Guyana, is an attractive tourist destination with a rich history, colourful culture and unique geography. The city offers many opportunities to explore old and new architectural structures, museums, parks and the surrounding natural beauty. Here are some of the most important places to visit in Georgetown:
St George’s Cathedral: One of the most important religious buildings in Guyana, St. George’s Cathedral bears the traces of British colonisation in the 19th century. The cathedral was built in gothic style and served as the country’s first Anglican church. The stained glass windows, frescoes and mosaics inside the cathedral fascinate visitors.
National Museum of Guyana: The National Museum of Guyana in Georgetown is an ideal place to explore the country’s history and cultural heritage. The museum features exhibits on Guyana’s indigenous peoples, the former colonisation period, art and natural history. One of the museum’s most famous items is “Archie”, a giant tortoise.
Bourda Market: Bourda Market is one of the most famous open-air markets in Georgetown. The market offers a lively environment where tropical fruits, vegetables, spices, handicrafts and other products are sold. Visitors can interact with locals and learn more about Guyana’s culture.
Georgetown also offers many other attractions such as the Botanical Garden, Demerara River cruises, Starbroek Market, Walter Roth Museum, St.abroek Cathedral and many more.
Transportation from Cheddi Jagan Airport to the city centre
Cheddi Jagan International Airport is located approximately 41 km south of Georgetown, the capital of Guyana. There are several different options to reach the city centre. These include taxi, bus, minibus and car hire.
Taxi service is available outside the airport terminal. It is important to agree on the fare before travelling. The Airport Taxi Association has a set tariff and prices are considerably higher than in the city centre. However, the taxi option can be preferred for a safe journey and a comfortable journey.
You can also travel from the airport to the city centre by bus and minibus. Although buses are bigger and more comfortable, minibuses are faster and cheaper. When choosing any of these options, it is important to be careful and choose a safe vehicle.
There is also the option of car hire. There are several car hire companies at the airport terminal. However, before choosing this option, it is important to familiarise yourself with driving in Guyana and learn the traffic rules. While this option provides a comfortable and free journey, traffic jams and navigation problems may also occur.