Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (11 December 2020) When the Cayman Islands’ airports were subjected to international travel restrictions in late March 2020 due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Cayman Islands Airports Authority’s (CIAA) staff continued to work repatriation flights and maintain the safety and security at both Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA) in Grand Cayman and Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (CKIA) in Cayman Brac. Additionally, many staff members undertook training and development in several technical topics relevant to their jobs, as well as leadership and other generic training, mainly through virtual programmes, self-guided learning, or free programmes through the Civil Service College of the Cayman Islands Government.

One such technical course presented by ACI-ICAO (Airports Council International and International Civil Aviation Organization) is the Global Reporting Format, which addresses the assessment and reporting of Runway Surface Conditions using a globally-harmonised methodology and requires global implementation by November 2021. This new methodology for assessing runway conditions is intended to improve flight crew assessments of take-off and landing performance thus further improving aviation safety by reducing runway excursions. Runway excursions remain one of the top challenges to aviation worldwide, with serious impacts in terms of safety and cost.

Thirty-one staff members from a cross-section of CIAA departments, including Air Traffic Control, Airport Operations, Maintenance and Aeronautical Information Services at both airports, completed the course with others continuing to work towards completion.

ACI (Airports Council International) represents the world’s airports interests with Governments, and international organisations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), develops standards, policies and recommended practices for airports and provides information and training opportunities to raise standards around the world.

ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) is a specialised agency of the United Nations that promotes the safe and orderly development of civil aviation worldwide. In conjunction with its 191 global members and industry groups, consensus is reached on international civil aviation Standards and Recommended Practices necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency and regularity, which in turn permits flights in aviation’s global network to operate safely and reliably in every region of the world.