Cayman Airport’s Long-Standing Beacon Comes Down

As part of the next phase of continued improvements in operations and safety standards at the Airports, The Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA), which operates the Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA) and the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (CKIA), will be removing the Airport’s Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) off Walkers Road this weekend as it is no longer relevant or in use for aircraft navigation purposes.

The Non-Directional Beacon, which stands at 120 feet high, was commissioned in January 2005 and served as a flight navigational aid used by aircraft to navigate to Owen Roberts International Airport. It replaced the Airport’s original beacon that was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

In 2016, the Non-Directional Beacon was switched off and replaced by Satellite-based navigation aids to navigate aircraft. Satellite-based navigation allows for a more efficient use of the airspace within the region, and aircraft can fly a more direct route reducing flight times and fuel consumption.