Drones, laser lights affecting flight safety at Sangster International
Operators of the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay are expressing concern about the use of laser lights and aerial devices that have breached the protected flight zone, resulting in the cancellation of two flights over the past two years.
According to Peter Hall, chief operations officer (COO) at MBJ Airports Limited, the continuous use of these devices, especially at entertainment events, could have tragic and costly consequences.
“The flights were about to land when persons beamed illegal laser lights on to the runway,” Hall said, while addressing the St James Municipal Corporation last week.
“Eighteen months ago, we had an aircraft that actually cancelled its scheduled flight because the laser hit the pilot in his eyes and he could not carry on with that flight. We have had two such cases within the last 24 months.”
Hall argued that if something is not done to fix the problem expeditiously, it could affect the travel industry.
However, the entertainment industry might not be the only problem for MBJ as a proliferation of what the operator describes as unmanned aerial vehicles such as drones and kites are impeding the smooth operations at the airport.
“There are persons having amusement events, where they operate their drones within the protected flight zone of 10,000 radio miles from the airport, and in many cases, without the relevant permits,” he said.
Hall said that activities in the hospitality industry such as parasailing are also impeding the airport’s ability to maintain a safe landing for aircraft.
“Those pleasure boats passing along the airdrome approach path, with high mass, it must be of a certain height, if not, it interferes with the safety and regularity of flights.”
Hall is, however hoping, that recent talks with the Jamaica Maritime Authority will have the police address his company’s concerns.
Chinese entity Jiuquan Iron and Steel Company (JISCO) plans to invest more than US$3 billion to develop the Gansu Industrial Park and Special Economic Zone in Nain, St Elizabeth, where it operates the Alpart alumina refinery.
The park, which is expected to generate approximately 60,000 jobs, is pivotal to Jamaica’s Logistics Hub Initiative, development of which is being spearheaded by the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA).
It is one of the three largest being developed by the Authority. The others are the Caymanas Special Economic Zone in St Catherine, and the Vernamfield Aerotropolis in Clarendon.
Work on the park’s development is expected to get under way by year end.
Chairman of the JSEZA Metry Seaga provided details during a media briefing at the Authority, Waterloo Road, St Andrew, last Wednesday.
Seaga said that the park’s phased development would involve the establishment of a bauxite-alumina refinery and an electricity plant to power it and other businesses that will be set up; and a smelter that will underpin JISCO’s focus on manufacturing aluminium and its by-products locally.
“I think it is important that we, as Jamaicans, understand the game changer that this is going to be. It is going to transform, not only St Elizabeth, but all the towns around it. Most importantly, this has the backing of the Government of the People’s Republic of China. This is real, and we are going to make it happen,” Seaga said.