Kirkconnell International Airport in Cayman Brac.
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in Compass Media’s 2026 Careers Guide.
For Stephen Ebanks, following his passion has not only led to a rewarding career in aviation but to a desire to help others do the same.
Ebanks is an air traffic controller with the Cayman Islands Airports Authority, which operates Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA) on Grand Cayman and Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (CKIA) in Cayman Brac.
“I developed a love for aviation,” he says. “This career is the perfect opportunity for me to work in a field I’m truly passionate about.”
Ebanks, along with Lauryn Bennette and Jose Delgado, is among three trainees promoted to licensed air traffic control officers last autumn after completing an intensive eight-month international aviation training programme, followed by rigorous simulator training at ORIA, and six months of on-the-job training at CKIA.
Working and training at CKIA since January of 2023, Ebanks is now looking to advance his career by completing additional training and courses to become an instructor to help other young Caymanians become air traffic controllers.
He says while earning his certification was challenging – requiring hard work, perseverance, commitment, and drive – it was also gratifying.
“The rewards were the satisfaction of being successful in each course and gaining the confidence to be successful in this complex profession,” he says.
Various career paths
The aviation industry offers numerous career options and opportunities, with the CIAA committed to fostering local talent and supporting workforce development in the industry.
Its summer internship programme brings together Caymanian students and recent graduates to gain hands-on experience across various departments at the CIAA.
Among them: airport operations, aeronautical information services, business development, marketing and communications, customer service, and ground transportation.
The programme offers participants an opportunity to apply their academic knowledge, develop professional skills, and explore potential career paths within the aviation sector.
Hands-on learning
Damar Connor took part in the CIAA programme last summer, interning in the airport operations department at Owen Roberts International Airport.
He learned about the core functions of the airport, including air traffic safety procedures, gate management, and passenger flow control.
“No aircraft movements occur on or off the airport without the oversight of the operations team, and being involved in these critical processes was incredibly fulfilling,” he says.
“Through this experience, I not only gained essential aviation knowledge – such as aircraft movement coordination, safety protocols, and airport systems management – but also developed practical decision-making skills that will serve as a foundation for my future aviation career.”
Damar plans to become a commercial or private pilot and is researching various international institutions to take his training and education.
He says the internship experience reinforced his goal to become a pilot, particularly working with aircraft during runway and taxiway inspections.
“Being in proximity to aircraft – ranging from small propeller planes to the large, modern British Airbus A350 – filled me with excitement and admiration for aviation technology,” he says. “I am deeply grateful for the experience.”
This article originally appeared in Compass Media’s 2026 Careers Guide.
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