Work has already begun on expanding and improving facilities at Cayman Brac’s international airport.
It is hoped that the improvements, which include outgoing immigration counters, will mean direct flights from the US can come to and from the island without the need to make a stop in Grand Cayman.
A ground-breaking ceremony was held for the project in July of last year, touting the expansion as a boost to the local economy.
At the time, the airport – formerly known as the Gerrard-Smith International Airport – was renamed after the late Charles Kirkconnell, a prominent local businessman and long-serving politician.
Work at the Brac airport is focused on the terminal building, which is being expanded in both directions.
Officials have said the redevelopment will facilitate non-stop international flights by increasing operations and services.
At the moment, national flag carrier Cayman Airways operates a flight on Saturdays to Cayman Brac from Miami. However, the flight must return to the US by flying through Owen Roberts International Airport in Grand Cayman to fulfil customs and immigration requirements.
Phase one of the project will accommodate a larger ticketing hall, enhanced passenger and baggage screening facilities, and the addition of outgoing immigration counters. The departure lounge will also be expanded to create additional retail space and a larger restaurant. Office space is also being created for Cayman Airways as well as airport security.
Phase two of the project will see enhancements to the arrivals hall – namely the immigration and customs areas – as well as the addition of space for public health and agriculture department personnel.
When it was approved in May of last year, the project had an estimated price tag of $2.5 million. The estimated cost remained at $2.5 million, despite some additions to the plans.
Records from the Sister Islands’ planning board meetings indicate that the Cayman Islands Airports Authority increased the square footage of the expansion project by nearly 75 per cent from its initial application.
Last May, the Development Control Board approved the authority’s application for two additions to the Brac airport. The first phase of the project included a 6,816-square-foot addition to the east end of the existing building, with a check-in area, rest rooms, security room, baggage screening, enlarged departure lounge and relocated cafe/bar. The second phase included a 4,670-square-foot addition to the west end of the existing building, for a new baggage claim area.
On 15 October, the board convened for a special meeting, and approved a modification to those two additions, resulting in a further increase of 8,422 square feet.
According to the October meeting minutes, the extra square footage includes a “VIP lounge” that will be accessible from the arrivals immigration area and the departure lounges.
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