$23M runway sweeper for Timehri
Stabroek News
January 9, 2004
A US$119,370 ($23M) sweeper is being acquired to keep the runway clean at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri.
A release from the Government Information Agency said that the equipment is being acquired under the Air Transport Reform Programme (ATRP).
According to the release, the sweeper will be used to keep the main and secondary runways as well as the taxiways and aprons of the airport free of foreign objects.
Chief Executive Officer Leon Romero, the release said, saw the sweeper as a critical safety device with respect to landings and takeoffs.
The government is also installing a closed-circuit television system and other security systems costing some $16M.
Forty cameras will be posted at strategic points in the VIP, departure and arrival lounges, immigration, customs and baggage areas.
According to the release, two new security scanners in the immigration lounge and the VIP lounge have been installed for checking passengers' hand luggage.
Passengers passing through the metal detector at the airport will be scanned through eight zones to detect whether they are carrying metals, the release also said.
Several flight information display systems have been installed in the arrival and departure lounges with the one for the arrivals costing US$25,000.
According to the release, plans for the year include the acquisition of three more scanners for baggage, revamping of the arrivals area and viewing gallery, and the expansion and the installation of lights around the airport perimeter.