…despite 17% drop in int’l aircraft arrivals The automated car park booth (at right) under construction.By Leonard GildarieDespite a severe global economic downturn, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the country’s main facility of its kind, still managed to collect $600M in revenue last year, just $2M less than 2008. Its profit was some $285M. This was even in the face of a 17% decrease in the movement of international aircraft.According to Chief Executive Officer of CJIA, Ramesh Ghir, the airport managed to earn extra revenue from increased advertising in the form of billboards and other areas. Some $271M has been transferred to government’s coffers.The official made the revelations yesterday at the Timehri facility during a review of CJIA’s performance last year. The airport managed to decrease its expenditure to $315M from $332M spent in 2008.However,Cheap Jerseys Paypal, passenger arrivals increased 5% compared with 2008, to 216,064. This arrivals figure is second only to 2007 (228,285) and came at a time when passenger movement worldwide dropped by 3.1%.In the area of imported cargo, 2,725 tonnes were transported via air last year, a drop of 4%. Exports of goods through the facility saw a marginal drop of 0.5% to 1,393 tonnes when worldwide cargo movement dropped steeply by 15%.CJIA, according to Ghir, recorded 3,652 international aircraft movements,Discount NFL Jerseys, a significant 17% decline from 2008. The decrease was mainly from airlines dropping their numbers of flights as a cost-cutting measure.AchievementsHowever,Cheap MLB Jerseys Authentic, the airport, in diversification mode after suffering from revenue losses from the reduced number of international flights, granted four new concessions to businesses, including Oasis Caf?, Republic Bank for an ATM Machine, Roti Hut/Rituals Coffee and Kings Jewellery.Last year, CJIA managed to establish its own security unit with 10 persons to assist the police stationed at the outpost there.Work has also commenced on a $274M upgrade of the airport taxiway and apron. Yesterday, during an inspection of the works being executed by BK International, Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, expressed his concerns over the taxiway appearing not too level,NFL Jerseys Supply, but the consultant explained that this would take additional work since he was only hired to take off two inches and recap it.Meanwhile, a new car park booth is under construction and the issuing of parking tickets will be automated. Presently, the tickets are being done manually. The booth is expected to be completed by next month.There will also be the installation of 20 new check-in systems, two passenger self-check-in kiosks and a new flight information display system, the contracts for which were signed last year with the multinational information technology company, SITA. These are expected to be up and running by mid-year, Ghir disclosed.The airport has also rehabilitated an aircraft in which visiting students can experience flight simulations as part of their school tour.CJIA last year also repaired its main runway lights and serviced the runway end indicator light and installed equipment in the control tower to monitor and change the lighting system in the aerodrome.CJIA has also worked to protect its back-up power system with the installation of a $2.5M radiator for its 750kva generator and has acquired two new 30-seater Coaster buses to transport employees and security personnel to and from the airport.Last year, CJIA carried out a mandatory airport emergency plan with a simulated airplane crash where 300 persons participated. The exercise,cheap nfl jerseys, Ghir said, was a success and met the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).An audit last year by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) saw the airport’s Aerodrome Certificate being renewed in compliance with ICAO’s requirements.According to Ghir, CJIA as part of its policies continued extensive training for employees in Customer Care, First Aid, Aviation Security and Team Building.It also assisted several Timehri schools with the donations of water dispensers, painting of pedestrian crossings and clearing of sewerage systems.2010 plansThis year, CJIA intends to complete ongoing projects, complete an Airport Master Plan and establish a Training Division for staffers.In addition to new directional signs leading to the airport, the Departure Duty Free Area will see remodeling with the upgrade of the washrooms there.It was stressed that illegal vendors, and poultry and livestock farmers in the vicinity of the airport will be removed this year.