Guyana’s Civil Aviation Training School (CATS) has secured a major upgrade in international aviation training, moving from Bronze to Gold Standard accreditation under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) TRAINAIR PLUS Programme. The designation was officially conferred on April 16, 2026, on the sidelines of the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) in Marrakech, Morocco, marking what officials describe as a significant milestone for aviation training in Guyana and the wider region.
The Gold Standard is among the highest recognitions within the global aviation training community and confirms that CATS meets and exceeds internationally accepted training benchmarks. With this status, the institution is now qualified to develop and deliver ICAO-approved courses for aviation professionals locally and internationally.
Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lt. Col. (ret’d) Egbert Field, said the achievement reflects sustained effort within the sector.
“This achievement reflects the unwavering commitment of our instructors and staff to deliver world-class aviation training,” Field stated, adding that “attaining Gold Standard status is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team and underscores Guyana’s growing influence on the global aviation stage.”
The upgraded status is expected to strengthen Guyana’s position as an emerging aviation training hub, with CATS now better placed to attract students and professionals from across the Caribbean and South America, as well as further afield. Since joining the TRAINAIR PLUS programme, the school has already delivered training to participants from countries including Suriname, Barbados, The Bahamas, the Cayman Islands and St. Lucia, through both in-person and virtual platforms.Officials say the new accreditation is also expected to boost enrolment, deepen international partnerships, and support the development of a more highly skilled aviation workforce across the region.
ICAO’s TRAINAIR PLUS Programme is a global network of aviation training institutions aimed at standardising and improving the quality of aviation training worldwide.
