JCAA Far Advanced in $4.2 Billion Upgrading Programme

The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) is far advanced in implementing a comprehensive $4.2 billion modernization and upgrading programme to replace major components of its communications, navigation and surveillance systems.

This was disclosed by Director General, Nari Williams-Singh, at a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’,  held at the agency’s head office, in Kingston.
Describing the engagement as an “aggressive” undertaking, Mr. Williams-Singh advised that two new air traffic control towers will be constructed at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, and the Sangster International Airport, in Montego Bay, at a cost of  $2.57 billion.

“The upgrades will see our radars, automation systems, voice communication and control systems and air traffic control simulation systems upgraded. This is a 21-month project, which has already commenced, and we should see some benefits over the next 12 to 15 months. We are also in contract negotiation stage  for a new instrument landing system to be installed at the Sangster International Airport,” he added.    According to the Director General, several projects have been completed, and  others are ongoing or scheduled for implementation.

Mr. Williams-Singh highlighted notable successes which, he said, have resulted from aspects of the project already carried out. These include the commissioning of a newly upgraded microwave radio network for Jamaica’s Flight Information Region, in December 2014.  This network triples the information-carrying capacity of the previous network and minimizes the risk of critical data loss from radar and other sites.
The Director General also reported progress with the phased implementation of an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology, consistent with the international thrust to replace radars as the primary mode of aircraft surveillance, by 2017.

Through the efforts of the JCAA, Jamaica, as a contracting State of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), continues to maintain international industry tandards.
The Director General said that upgrade of its Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) to the more data-centric Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) is to be undertaken,  and that the Authority is currently evaluating bids.

The country’s Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) Department and personnel are routinely and consistently relied on to provide and publish vital aeronautical, meteorological, and airspace management information to the local and international aviation community. Air  operators, pilots, and air traffic control staff rely on these critical data and services, such as notices to airmen and aeronautical information publications, routinely provided by the AIS Department, Jamaica is a part of  the international industry stakeholders engaged in activities aimed at enhancing global aviation safety, through the implementation of a Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP) and the Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP). These encompass a combination of new technologies, methodologies and systems, aimed at improving aviation safety.