NMIA Certified For Aerodrome Operations

The Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston is now certified as an aerodrome operator.

Transport and Mining Minister, Hon. Robert Montague, officially handed over the document, signifying that the facility has met the required international safety and security standards for aerodrome operations, during a ceremony on Tuesday (October 8) at the Ministry’s office in Kingston.

He said that the achievement is a “big deal” and praised NMIA Chief Operations Officer, Dale Davis and his team, for ensuring that the certification was attained after “many years of trying”.

“The aerodrome operating certificate process… at the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) is not an easy one. It is a process of international standards, and from what I’m hearing, NMIA exceeded the standards in many of the areas that they were tested on,” Mr. Montague boasted.

“Today is a day of celebration. It’s a big deal to be certified as an aerodrome operator. We have been pulling all the punches and when I became Minister … I told the NMIA chairman and president that this is one of the boxes that we have to check,” he added.

Mr. Montague noted that the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St. James, is already certified, while the certification process for Ian Fleming International Airport in St. Mary is well advanced.

“We have operating certificates for a number of our aerodromes and I… signed off on the Lionel Densham Aerodrome in St. Elizabeth on Monday (October 7).” he said.

Minister Montague said that the certification process is part of a programme to improve general aviation operations.

“Aviation is a growing industry and Jamaica has a solid brand name in aviation worldwide and we need to leverage that to the benefit of our people,” he noted.

Chief Executive Officer of the NMIA Airports Limited, Audley Deidrick, in his remarks, said that the airport has been trying to achieve aerodrome operator certification since early 2000, and he is pleased that it is now a reality.

Deputy Director General at the JCAA, Rohan Campbell, for his part, said the significance of certification means that the NMIA has met and, in some cases, exceeded international benchmarks for safety and security.

“This is significant for our local travellers, our country, and also all international persons who will do business and visit this country,” he said.