The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority Celebrates 25 Years

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2021 15 JAMAICA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY 25TH ANNIVERSARY C IVIL AVIATION has been a part of the backbone of Jamaica’s transportation industry for generations. It is far more than just pilots and flight attendants on flights from major airports. This in- dustry includes commercial carriers operating from our airports, by way of private jets, air traffic control, air- port management, manufacturing, maintenance and the employees who take good care of our luggage between flights. The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) is one of the pivotal agencies involved in the Government’s thrust for the safety and expansion of the aviation sector, promoting the safe, orderly and effi- cient development of Jamaica’s air transport sector. The JCAA contin- ues to focus on various programmes with a strategic and long-term view to maintaining the gains made in aviation safety, security and growth. Even faced with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, civil aviation, as with many other in- dustries, has felt its impact but has managed to remain above ground in its operations and maintain the standard that we have come to know and appreciate. Aviation in many respects is a ‘na- tional asset’ and the Government recognises the importance of this mode of transport in an integrated approach to development. The ongoing developments within the sector, therefore, places an obligation on all stakeholders to collaborate to take advantage of the opportunities, and respond to new and emerging trends in the sector. Environmental sustainability, safety and security, facilitation and the commercial development of the aviation sector as industry-global priorities, therefore, remain at the forefront of our consideration as we continue to develop the sector. We must recognise the outstand- ing achievements and impacts of the JCAA, an organisation which has carried the torch of civil avia- tion for 25 strong years, not just for Jamaica but for the region. With its commitment and sincerity, the JCAA has proven its worth and has gained much-deserved recognition. It would be remiss of me not to outline that Jamaica’s history of being a pacesetter in safe-indus- try regulation and air navigation services provision began with the establishment of the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) in 1947, 75 years ago. The JCAA represents the em- bodiment of the foundations laid by CAD in its purpose to ensure the compliance of all air operators with international and local rules and regulations, effecting the safe and expeditious flow of air traffic within Jamaica’s airspace. The need to transform the CAD from a civil service agency to a statutory entity was necessary for modernising the department and keeping apace with the growth of civil aviation locally and worldwide. The JCAAwas, therefore, established by the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act 1995, and became operational on May 6, 1996. The ministry, through the JCAA, continues to implement the nec- essary measures to facilitate this priority. This is done through col- laboration with stakeholders to en- sure an optimum flow of air traffic throughout all phases of a flight. We continue to enhance the operations of the aviation industry through the procurement of new, cutting-edge ATFM software technologies to boost aviation safety. The Government will maintain the highest possible safety standards for aircraft, passengers and airport staff through the Airport Authority of Jamaica regulations, ICAO require- ments and other relevant legislation while aiming at improving environ- mental performance. A great deal remains to be done in order to meet the targets set out by and for the JCAA. I am en- couraged to know that the work continues in a coordinated and fo- cused manner to maintain the pos- itive momentum of civil aviation in the region and around the world. Congratulations to the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority on this anniver- sary celebration under the theme, ‘25 Strong, 75 years along’! ROBERT MONTAGUE Minister of Transport and Mining 25 years of outstanding achievements and impact “ We must recognise the outstanding achievements and impacts of the JCAA 3 A I C A C I V I L A V I A T I O N A U T H OR 25 Years strong, 75 Years Along. 25 MBJ Airports Limited congratulates the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) on its silver anniversary in developing aviation in Jamaica and keeping our aviation space safe.