• This contract marks a major step forward in modernising the Cayman Islands’ airspace, using Thales’ advanced air traffic management technology to deliver the highest levels of safety and efficiency.
• This new infrastructure supports the Cayman Islands Airports Authority’s (CIAA) Airports Master Plan 2041, which aims to ensure safe, sustainable, and world-class airport operations, in order to stay competitive and meet future air traffic, economic and tourism growth. 
• As part of this initiative, Thales’ Air Traffic Management (ATM) Latin America Projects & Services Centre in Mexico will deliver a complete package of air traffic control solutions alongside three standalone ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast) tracking systems.

Thales selected by Cayman Islands Airports Authority to modernize and upgrade its air traffic control infrastructure © CIAA

With air traffic in the Cayman Islands projected to grow by 25% over the next decade, the Cayman Islands Airports Authority’s (CIAA) has selected Thales, a global leader in air traffic management solutions, to modernize the air traffic control (ATC) infrastructure at both Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA) and Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (CKIA). 

The project will deliver new air traffic control and surveillance systems that enhance flight safety, efficiency, and coordination with Cayman’s airspace enabling smoother traffic flow across the wider Caribbean, while ensuring alignment with the latest international standards and technological advancements. The modernization includes the introduction of Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) tracking and upgraded communications systems, providing controllers with real-time aircraft visibility and more efficient flight-path management. 

Thales is committed to building a strong, long-term partnership with the CIAA to support its ​ strategy and vision for professional, innovative, safe, and efficient airport services, as outlined in its comprehensive Airports Master Plan 2041. Drawing on decades of experience in delivering cutting-edge, cybersecure ATC and surveillance systems worldwide, Thales will deploy its TopSky – ATC, TopSky – AIM, and TopSky – AMHS solutions, alongside new Voice Communication and billing systems to upgrade the Cayman Islands’ air navigation capabilities. Together, these technologies provide air traffic controllers with real-time situational awareness through a network of connected sensors, enabling safer and more efficient flight path management, amid increasingly complex and unpredictable traffic flows. 

With interoperable systems compatible with neighbouring countries’ ATC centres, the innovation brought by Thales will improve cross-border coordination, reducing safety risks associated with fragmented airspace management and enabling smoother traffic flow in the Caribbean region. The ADS-B tracking systems will provide real-time, high-accuracy aircraft position data for ATM and ATC applications, improving coordination between air traffic controllers, enhancing safety, and reducing emissions by optimising flight routes.

Thales’ ATM Latin America Projects and Services Centre in Mexico, established in 2023, will oversee the system’s design, installation, and operational rollout, working closely with the CIAA and local air traffic management teams. ensuring national airspace sovereignty and long-term security. This initiative positions the Cayman Islands at the forefront of ATM innovation in the Caribbean region, enhancing both civil aviation safety and operational efficiency in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards