Spanish bank Santander to finance GY$14.6 billion expansion of Guyana's main airport

Spain’s Banco Santander will provide G$14.6 billion (€61.43 million) in financing for the new arrivals terminal at Guyana’s main international airport under a loan facility backed by UK Export Finance (UKEF), the British government’s export credit agency. The financing agreement, signed on June 12, 2026 between the Government of Guyana and Banco Santander, S.A., will fund the design and construction of a new arrivals terminal at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in Timehri, along with the reconfiguration of the existing arrivals terminal. The project will be executed by BHM Construction International (UK) Ltd, with the financing guaranteed by UKEF, which supports overseas projects involving British exporters. The loan agreement was tabled in the National Assembly on Monday. The government said the expansion would increase the airport’s capacity to accommodate rapidly growing passenger numbers while improving the experience for both visitors and returning Guyanese. The upgraded facility is also expected to strengthen Guyana’s tourism, trade and investment prospects as the country continues to experience rapid economic growth fuelled by its offshore oil industry. An artist’s impression of what the CJIA will look like with the new terminal Cheddi Jagan International Airport is Guyana’s principal international gateway and has undergone significant expansion in recent years as the government invests heavily in transport infrastructure to meet rising demand. Banco Santander, headquartered in Santander, Spain, is one of Europe’s largest banking groups, with operations across Europe and the Americas. The government said the UKEF guarantee reflects international confidence in Guyana’s economic trajectory and creditworthiness.