Expansion of Owen Roberts International Airport
Full steam ahead for expansion of Owen Roberts International Airport
A recent announcement from the Cayman Islands’ Premier McKeeva Bush indicates that it could be full steam ahead for the much-anticipated expansion of Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman. This ambitious project, which will see the current terminal building triple in size and capacity, has caught the attention of a Chinese investment group amongst others, according to McKeeva Bush.
There have been plans to extend Owen Roberts International Airport since the project was first set forward for consideration back in 2005, although the worldwide economic downturn had delayed the extensive renovation and development work. The wider market conditions behind the delay led to the Cayman government seeking a public-private partnership with investors. The Chinese investors which McKeeva Bush referenced at the Fidelity Cayman Business Outlook conference in January (who are also said to be interested in the enhancement of Gerrard-Smith Airport on Cayman Brac) are just one group to have expressed interest in such a partnership.
Grand Cayman’s Owen Roberts International Airport currently serves approximately 950,000 passengers each year. The expansion will accommodate around 1.25 million annual passengers, a projection based on the expected increase in passenger numbers over the next 20 years. Phase one of the project will include expanding the ticket hall and installing new baggage reclaim and immigration areas; phase two will see the creation of international departure and concession areas, boarding bridge connections and a “meet and greet hall” at the entrance to the airport. While phase three will see the finishing of the interiors, the airport authority is keen to point out that the airport shall remain fully functioning throughout all phases of development.
There is also strong interest in extending the length of the runway at Owen Roberts to further attract long-haul carriers and increase the number of directly operating flights from Europe. This is seen as important to the success of the new economic and commercial zone Cayman Enterprise City, as CEO Jason Blick explains, “Despite a variety of challenges, the Cayman Islands Airports Authority and other stakeholders are keenly focused on the long-term sustainability of the Islands’ airports and I believe that attracting new markets, especially Europe is key”. In fact it is a view shared by many that the airport expansion plan will attract commerce and investment, not to mention international projects such as Dr. Shetty’s Healthcare City.
Chief Executive Officer of the Cayman Islands Airport Authority, Jeremy L. Jackson comments on the expansion project getting back on track: “The Airports Authority will embark on major redevelopment projects during the next three years to enhance airport services and facilities, as well as safety and security....The CIAA’s Vision is to bring excellence to all levels of your airport experience and we remain committed to delivering a high level of customer service to all airport users....Significant strides have already been made to enhance the facilities at Owen Roberts International Airport over the past few years and we are confident that the continuation of our expansion programme and customer service initiatives will ensure that the airport is ready to meet the future challenges of the aviation industry.”
These airport expansion plans are not just proof that Cayman is embracing the future of the aviation industry, but also the tourism industry and the global investment potential of the Islands as a whole.
