Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues at the inaugural flight of AirTransat in December 2025.
GEORGETOWN, Guyana--Guyana’s skies have become noticeably busier over the past five years, and according to Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues, the growth in international airlift is no coincidence, it is a deliberate strategy tied directly to the country’s booming tourism and expanding global profile.
Since 2020, Guyana has added nine new international airlines, bringing the total number of carriers operating in the country to 15, a development the Minister described as a major leap forward in opening Guyana to the world.
“From 2020 to now, we have added nine new airlines that are traveling to destination Guyana. That’s a remarkable improvement,” Rodrigues said during a recent interview with the News Room.
The expanded air connectivity has not only increased the number of routes available to Guyanese travellers, but has also widened Guyana’s reach into key tourism markets across Europe and the Americas.
Rodrigues noted that direct and improved connections to major international hubs have been critical in positioning Guyana as a more accessible destination for business and leisure travel.
Among the notable expansions are flights linking Guyana to Europe through British Airways and KLM, with the latter connecting via Amsterdam and a stopover in St. Martin. Newer connections through airlines like Avianca have also unlocked access to destinations such as Colombia, strengthening Guyana’s ties with Latin America.
“Having those direct flights, especially to those big destinations like the United Kingdom… we’re really opening up new destinations to Guyana and attracting more visitors,” Rodrigues explained.
She emphasized that expanding airlift is a foundational requirement for any country serious about developing its tourism sector.
“You have to expand airlift if you’re going to attract more visitors,” she said.
The impact is already being felt in record-breaking visitor arrivals. Rodrigues revealed that Guyana recorded 453,489 visitors in 2025, representing a 22% increase over 2024 – growth she described as extraordinary when compared to global tourism trends.
“These numbers are unheard of in other parts of the world, especially when you look at visitor arrivals only,” she noted.
In addition, Guyana saw over one million passengers pass through the country’s aviation system, a sign that both travel demand and airport activity are rapidly increasing.
With momentum building, Rodrigues said the Government’s long-term target is even more ambitious: three million passengers by 2030, with tourism expected to make up a significant portion of that figure.
The Minister also pointed to institutional changes that reflect Guyana’s commitment to aviation growth, including the establishment of a new Ministry of Aviation – a move she said underscores the seriousness of the Government’s airlift expansion agenda.
The creation of the ministry signals a shift toward long-term planning, infrastructure development, and route expansion, especially as Guyana continues to attract international attention through its fast-growing economy and emerging tourism offerings.
While celebrating the success, Rodrigues acknowledged that affordability remains one of the major challenges facing Guyana’s tourism sector – particularly for domestic travel.
She said concerns have been raised about the cost of local travel, including domestic flights, and noted that President Dr. Irfaan Ali has been vocal and “aggressive” in pushing for improvements in this area.
One of the Government’s major initiatives has been encouraging hotels, lodges, and tourism operators to offer local rates for Guyanese, helping residents explore their own country without being priced out. ~News Room~
