Canadian carrier Air Transat will officially begin non-stop flights between Toronto and Georgetown on 16 December 2025, becoming the tenth international airline to enter the Guyanese market in just five years. The twice-weekly Airbus A321LR service will not only bring long-awaited convenience for the 80,000+ Guyanese diaspora in Canada, but also open a fresh stream of leisure travellers from North America’s second-largest outbound tourism market.
It’s a milestone that underscores what aviation experts have been hinting for a while: Guyana is no longer just a regional stopover—it’s becoming a Caribbean hub in its own right.
Why Airlines Are Flocking to Georgetown
Guyana’s aviation renaissance hasn’t happened by accident. Since 2020, the PPP/C administration has taken deliberate steps to make the country more accessible:
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Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) underwent key expansions and tech upgrades.
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Travel taxes were reduced, lowering the cost of entry for both leisure and business passengers.
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A policy of “open skies” was introduced to encourage new carriers without restrictive bilateral caps.
These reforms have had a visible impact. Major players such as:
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British Airways (London),
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JetBlue (New York),
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Arajet (Santo Domingo), and
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KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Amsterdam),
have all launched new routes in the past few years. Now, Air Transat joins the list, offering direct seasonal access between Toronto Pearson and Georgetown.
For the Canada-based Guyanese community, this means avoiding long layovers in New York or Miami. For Air Transat’s tour-operator division, Guyana’s eco-tourism appeal is a marketing opportunity: rainforest treks, the majestic Kaieteur Falls, and Essequibo River cruises are now part of winter getaway packages aimed at adventure-seeking Canadians.
Economic Multiplier Effects
The arrival of another international airline isn’t just about convenience—it’s about economic stimulus.
Tourism economists estimate that each round-trip flight on a wide-body or long-range narrow-body supports 35 direct and indirect jobs. These span:
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Baggage and ramp crews
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Aviation security and customs staff
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Hospitality workers at eco-lodges and guesthouses
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River tour operators and craft vendors
Early government modelling suggests Air Transat’s two weekly flights could contribute approximately G$25 million in weekly visitor spending, particularly during the peak December–April season.
Moreover, transport services already represent 4% of non-oil GDP, and that share is forecast to double by 2030 if the current momentum in aviation growth holds steady. With new hotels under construction and the national tourism board ramping up international promotion, the downstream benefits are expected to ripple across regions—from Lethem to Bartica.
Readiness and Sustainability Measures
On the operational side, Guyana is preparing for the influx.
GUYOIL Aviation Services, fresh from securing a contract to fuel KLM’s transatlantic flights, has announced a 30% expansion in Jet A-1 fuel storage capacity at CJIA. This ensures that increased demand from long-haul flights—like Air Transat’s A321LR—can be met without disruption.
The Civil Aviation Authority has also certified the ETOPS-rated aircraft (Extended Twin Operations), meaning they are cleared for efficient transatlantic routes. Notably, the Airbus A321LR burns 30% less fuel than older wide-body aircraft, which aligns with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 goals.
This focus on green aviation bolsters the country’s credibility as an eco-tourism destination and climate-conscious economy, even as it embraces growth.
From Margins to Mainstream: Guyana as a Gateway
Air Transat’s entry is more than just another airline announcement—it’s a validation of Guyana’s rise.
Once viewed as a niche market at the margins of South America and the Caribbean, Guyana is now being eyed as a strategic aviation gateway. Its geography offers a unique bridge between Latin America, the Caribbean, and North America, while its fast-growing economy attracts both business and diaspora traffic.
For the PPP/C government, this is a visible success story:
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Infrastructure investments have paid off.
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Policy reform has translated into tangible outcomes.
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Guyana’s global aviation profile is rising.
“Every new route tells a story—not just of passengers, but of progress,” a senior tourism official told The Guyana Project. “And that story is now being written by ten airlines and counting.”
As Air Transat lands its first flight this December, expect more eyes on Georgetown—and more carriers looking to follow.
Sources: St. Vincent Times, CJIA, Ministry of Tourism, GUYOIL Aviation Services, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority
