New air traffic towers by year end

Two new state-of-the-art air-traffic control towers, on which Jamaica has spent $2.57 billion, will be commissioned by year end.

Director general of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, Nari 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," said Williams-Singh.

According to the director general, Jamaica has experienced continuous growth in air-traffic movement over the past five years. In 2014, there were 65,000 total aircraft movements, up 4.36 per cent growth over the previous year.