“You Don’t Have to See Anybody”: Guyana to Launch Automated Biometric Entry at CJIA
By: Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News|
TIMEHRI, GUYANA — In a major step toward digitizing the nation’s borders, the Government of Guyana has announced the upcoming launch of an automated passenger identification system at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). This high-tech overhaul, centered on facial recognition and biometric gates, is designed to allow Guyanese citizens to move through immigration without interacting with a single officer.
The announcement was made by Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar, during the opening of the Women in Aviation Conference 2026 on Monday.
How the System Works: Facial Recognition & E-ID Integration
The new system is powered by the same national Electronic Identification (E-ID) infrastructure currently being rolled out across the country.
- The Walk-Through Experience: Upon arrival, Guyanese travelers will be identified by high-speed biometric cameras.
- Automated Gates: Once the system confirms a match with the traveler’s E-ID profile, automated gates will trigger to open, allowing seamless passage.
- Biometric Accuracy: The technology utilizes facial detection tailored to recognize Guyanese nationals, ensuring that security is enhanced even as wait times are slashed.
“We want when you come off the plane, you walk straight through. Your face will appear on a screen, the system will signal the gate to open, and you will walk through. You don’t have to see anybody as a Guyanese.” — Minister Deodat Indar
A Vision for a Regional Aviation Hub
The digital upgrade is a key component of the government’s broader strategy to transform CJIA into the primary aviation hub of the Caribbean and South America.
- Explosive Growth: Guyana has seen its hosted airlines jump from just 4 in 2020 to 16 in 2026, including major carriers like American Airlines, Copa, and Avianca.
- Terminal 2 Expansion: Minister Indar revealed that designs for a second terminal are complete, and contractors have already been mobilized to start physical expansion works to handle the surge in passenger traffic.
- Regional Connectivity: Efforts are also underway to re-establish routes lost after the collapse of LIAT and to develop municipal airports in Berbice and Lethem to accommodate regional jets.
The CJIA Modernization Project
| Feature | Details |
| Technology | Biometric Facial Recognition & Automated Gates. |
| Eligibility | Initially focused on Guyanese Citizens with E-IDs. |
| Hardware | Integrated with National E-ID registry (Veridos System). |
| Infrastructure | Construction of a 2nd Terminal and expanded runway. |
| Aviation Growth | 300% increase in airlines (4 in 2020 vs. 16 in 2026). |
The End of the Immigration Line?
For the thousands of Guyanese living in the diaspora and those traveling for business, the introduction of automated gates marks the end of an era defined by long queues and manual passport stamping. As CJIA evolves into a “modern-looking” international gateway, the integration of the E-ID system into airport operations serves as the most tangible evidence yet of the government’s commitment to a “Digital Guyana.”
