Gov't: Multibillion-dollar upgrade for airport systems

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.

IMPROVING AIR-NAVIGATION SERVICES

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.