Upgrades coming to Cayman Islands' airports
The Cayman Islands has approved the development of four airport projects that will improve safety and regulatory concerns, and accommodate visitor growth.
The projects include extending the runway 1,900 feet at Owen Roberts Airport on Grand Cayman, the Cayman Islands’ main international airport, and upgrading its air traffic control systems; constructing a new general aviation airport; and improving runway end safety at Charles Kirkconnell Airport, the international airport on sister island Cayman Brac.
“With up to 25% of the Cayman Islands GDP derived from tourism, extending the runway at ORIA is expected to be a gamechanger for the island’s tourism industry,” said Kenneth Bryan, Cayman Islands Minister for Tourism and Ports.
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Bryan said the projects, to cost an estimated $91 million, will be funded by an airport development fee of $15 and a $5 increase of its airport terminal fee during the course of construction, estimated to be from 2024-29.
Owen Roberts’ existing air traffic is controlled manually. The addition of air traffic management surveillance systems would modernize how the airport manages air traffic.
“On completion, these enhancements are expected to deliver significant economic benefits, including increased visitor spending, increased revenues for government, increased airlift into Grand Cayman and improved safety and efficiencies for the Cayman Islands Airports Authority,” Bryan said.
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