Runway lighting system repairs underway at CJIA following severe thunderstorm

Efforts are in full swing to repair the runway lighting system at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) after a severe thunderstorm and lightning caused significant damage on Sunday.

According to Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, teams from CJIA and Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) are diligently working to rectify the situation.

SEE THE FULL STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS JUAN EDGHILL ON MONDAY:

The teams from Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) are continuing to rectify the runway lighting system damaged during a severe thunderstorm and lightning. Thus far, they have identified and replaced four cable sections and five transformers.

The intense thunderstorms and lightning also caused damage to the lightning protection system of the runway lighting equipment and several GPL transformers in the vicinity.

Further, the following airlines have confirmed that the affected flights will operate as follows:

American Airlines flights:

• AA 2557 from JFK which was diverted to Barbados, is now expected to arrive at 13:09hrs

• AA 1512 to MIA is now scheduled to depart at 13:49hrs

• AA 1513 from MIA, diverted to Barbados, has a new estimated time of arrival is 13:39hrs

• AA 1534 is estimated to depart to MIA at 14:19hrs.

JetBlue: -

• B61965 from JFK, diverted to Puerto Rico is now expected to arrive 13:00hrs

• B61966 to JFK new estimated time of departure is 14:37hrs

Copa: -

•  CM 190 from Panama is expected to arrive at 11:24hrs

• CM 191 to Panama new estimated time of departure is 12:24hrs.

The CJIA alongside GPL is working to restore the runway lighting system in shortest period, and will continue to provide updates on this matter.