Guyana eyes preclearance facility at CJIA for U.S. passengers

Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 August 2025, 23:11 by Writer

Guyana plans to invite the United States (U.S.) to establish and man a preclearance facility at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) for U.S.-bound passengers, President Irfaan Ali announced on Wednesday.

“We have to strengthen our security framework so that our partner could have confidence in us, so that we can be a clearinghouse for passengers proceeding onwards into the U.S. and other places,” he told the opening of a new Marriott Hotel near the CJIA.

Aruba and Curacao have U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) – manned preclearance facilities.

The President said the planned establishment of the preclearance facility is part of a broader plan to make Guyana a “major transit hub” for international passengers traveling between Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Central America and North America.

Dr Ali’s announcement about the intention to have a U.S.-approved preclearance facility here came one day after he officially turned the sod for the construction of a second terminal at the CJIA.

The U.S. CBP says it has more than 600 officers and agriculture specialists stationed at 15 preclearance locations in 6 countries including Aruba, Bermuda, and The Bahamas.