New Multi-billion Dollar Towers In Jamaica To Become Operational By Yearend

KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Jamaica says two new multi-billion dollar state of the art air traffic control towers will go into service at the island’s two international airports before yearend.

Director General of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA), Nari Williams-Singh, said the J$2.57 billion (One Jamaica dollar = US$0.004 cents) towers should become operations within two to three months.

Williams-Singh said  that at the Norman Manley International in Kingston, the new and old towers have been operating simultaneously since August, to facilitate a smooth transition of air traffic control services.

“With the full participation of all our teams, we should be able to conclude parallel operations within about two months then we can transition. Sangster International Airport should be about four to six weeks behind,” he said.

The JCAA official said that the towers “will greatly enhance the reliability and efficiency of our air navigation system, in addition to enhancing the work environment for the air traffic controllers”.

According to the Director General, Jamaica has experienced continuous growth in air traffic movement over the past five years.

Total aircraft movement was recorded at just under 65,000 per annum in 2014, representing a 4.36 per cent growth over the previous year.