The Jamaican Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) today held a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the new Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower at Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston. Intelcan designed, constructed and equipped the tower as part of a Jamaican Government comprehensive $4.92-billion modernisation programme for JCAA. A second ATC Tower, also by Intelcan, is nearing completion at Sangster International Airport (SIA) in Montego Bay.
The new towers are intended to further the Government’s aim of making both international airports significant air transit hubs and to prepare for passengers coming from new markets on the growing number of airlines coming into the country following the signing of new Air Services Agreements.
Mike Henry, the Transport and Mining Minister describe the 131-foot tower at NMIA at a symbol of modernity, signaling Jamaica’s evolution as an aerospace industry powerhouse. Acting chief air traffic control officer and supervisor for the NMIA tower, Richard Graham, said with the improvement, the new facility has moved air traffic control by “leaps and bounds”.
In addition to designing and building the tower and base-building structures at both airports, Intelcan also equipped them with much of the ATC equipment required for providing modern air traffic services. This equipment includes critical voice communication systems, VHF radios, and meteorological systems.