The Government is taking steps to upgrade and enhance the country's communications, navigation, and surveillance systems, which are responsible for the delivery of safe and efficient air-traffic management in and around the island.
Transport Minister Mike Henry said the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) is undertaking the $4.92 billion upgrading project, which is expected to be completed by October next year.
The work will include the manufacturing and installation of a new state-of-the-art air-traffic management system, new L-Band primary and Mode-S radar technology, as well as the installation of a voice communication and control system.
Henry's remarks were delivered by chairman of the JCAA, Phillip Henriques, at the opening of a new air-traffic tower at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on Thursday.
He said that the JCAA has already undertaken several measures to improve air-navigation services, citing the installation of a new instrument landing system at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.
He noted that the system will be commissioned sometime next month, following the successful pre-commissioning quality assurance inspection.