Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (21 0ctober, 2014) The Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA) is taking technology to another level with major upgrades to its Aeronautical Message Handling System (AMHS) and Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS).

The goal is to implement a seamless integrated and automated message handling system that will supply the Air Traffic Services (ATS) messaging needs for both international airports in the Cayman Islands.

The AMHS facilitates the communication of data messages with details of aircraft movements, flight plan information, flight progress, meteorological data and other relevant messages. ATIS collects meteorological aviation reports and other types of terminal information to generate continuous automated broadcast reports to pilots about conditions at the airport via a radio link.

CIAA contracted US based company Frequentis California Inc. for the implementation of the new systems, which were put into service on Wednesday, 15 October. CIAA staff was also extensively trained on the new equipment. According to Airports Authority’s chief executive officer Albert Anderson, “There are numerous benefits to these much needed upgrades. We have had the same AMHS and ATIS equipment since 2005 and the lifecycle has come to an end. These new machines will help enhance CIAA’s messaging capabilities and ensure that we are on the same level as other state of the art airports around the world. “

The message handling systems upgrade comes at a time when CIAA is taking major steps towards its airport re-development plans. CIAA hopes to award a contract to the best proposal for the design of the terminal building by the end of October with an estimated start on construction in June 2015.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

1. CIAA Air Traffic Control staff with new ATIS equipment.
2. CIAA Air traffic control assistant, Theodore Kelly working on the new ATIS system.
3. CKIA Air traffic controller Hendric Myrie with new ATIS system in Cayman Brac.