In March of 2002, the Government of Guyana established the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). This was made possible with the passage of the Civil Aviation Act (2000) in parliament of the same year. Formerly known as the Civil Aviation Department within the former Ministry of Public Works and Communications, now the Ministry of Works, the GCAA is responsible for managing and regulating the aviation sector in Guyana, ensuring their compliance with international standards.

The Minister of Works is responsible for the development of civil aviation in Guyana and has direct oversight of the GCAA. The Authority regulates and manages the aviation sector in accordance with the Civil Aviation Act (2018), and the Civil Aviation (Air Navigation) Regulations 2001, Air Transport (Licensing of Air Transport Services) Regulations 2001, The Civil Aviation (Security) Regulation 2004 and Civil Aviation (Air Traffic Services and Rules of the Air) Regulations 2006 made under the act.