The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority Celebrates 25 Years

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2021 19 JAMAICA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY 25TH ANNIVERSARY T ODAY, I proudly joinmy fellow teammembers of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) in celebrating 25 years of our or- ganisation’s rich history of service to Jamaica. On this occasion, we also recognise 75 years of sterling growth and development within Jamaica’s aviation industry, since the establishment of the Civil Aviation Department in 1947. It is a time of reflection, but more so, a time to pay homage to all team members, stakeholders, partners and entities who helped to make this colossal achievement possible. Despite Jamaica’s relatively small size, our country boasts a long and distinguished history in the field of aviation, starting with the first recorded flight in 1911. This feat, whichmirrors our industry’s impact, occurred merely eight years after the world’s first-ever flight by the Wright brothers. In the decades fol- lowing that landmark flight, Jamaica has built a world-renowned and internationally respected air trans- port system that earned Jamaica a Category 1 safety ranking from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1997 and exceeds the world-average performance for the effective implementation of appli- cable international standards and recommended practices. Jamaica has maintained these performances and ranking, and our continuing accomplishments are, in no small measure, due to the hard work of the committed professionals of the JCAA. The 25th anniversary theme, ‘25 Strong, 75 Years Along’, demon- strates and captures the strong and continuously upward bridge connecting the past to the present. It also aptly reflects the pride which professionals at the JCAA hold in their work and organisation, which is indeed built on a strong foun- dation – one that is consistently growing, evolving and improving. We cannot appropriately cele- brate this important 25th anniver- sary milestone for the JCAA without highlighting the many profession- als whose expertise and dedicated service have contributed to the or- ganisation’s success over the years. We pay homage to our regulatory division teammembers, our air navi- gation services personnel, corporate services team, and director general’s office team members. During my time at the JCAA, I have had the pleasure of serving with some of the most hard-working, distinguished and dedicated professionals I have ever encountered. These men and women give their all in service to Jamaica, with the understanding that their contributions form part of a greater purpose – that of main- taining and improving Jamaica’s aviation industry as a bedrock of trade, tourism, travel, connectivity and progress for Jamaica and other nations. The respect that Jamaica enjoys internationally in the field of aviation is undoubtedly due, in great measure, to their unyielding commitment. I also extend sincere gratitude to our local and international partners, whose contributions, cooperation and support have been invaluable to the JCAA’s success. Your work has Built by team members with unyielding commitment PLEASE SEE TEAM , 8 7