Work to Continue to Maintain Category One Status at Airports

Minister of Housing, Transport Water and Works, Robert Pickersgill has said that the Ministry along with the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, would do all the necessary work to ensure that the island’s Category One rating at the two international airports is maintained.
Making his contribution to the 2007/08 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, yesterday (May 30), the Minister said that a contract has been signed to manufacture and deliver a new Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network Switch (AFTN).
“This AFTN switch will result in an improved computerised message handling system, resulting in improved safety for incoming and outgoing carriers. An Automatic Message Handling System, which will be the first in the Caribbean region and one of the most advanced air Traffic and Aeronautical Information Services systems in the world, will be installed,” said Mr. Pickersgill.
He also informed the House that construction would commence for two modern stand-alone air traffic control towers at the Norman Manley and Sangster International airports.
“The construction of the first of these towers will be at the Sangster International Airport and will commence in October 2007,” said Mr. Pickersgill.
In addition, he noted that during the period 2007/08, it is expected that the Alternate Microwave Link would be fully operational.