Final farewell for waving gallery open to public

| 16/01/2017 | 24 Comments

(CNS): The Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA) has issued an open invitation to the public on 17 January to mark the closing of the popular waving gallery at Owen Roberts International Airport on Tuesday.  The closure of the gallery is part of the ongoing airport expansion and redevelopment project and is necessary, the CIAA said, to comply with international security regulations. This will be the last chance for the public to watch the arrival and departure of aircraft from the gallery.

For many years people have been able to wave hello or goodbye to friends and family coming and going from Owen Roberts International Airport from the iconic Tiki roof gallery. The airport is therefore organising a small event, complete with refreshments, to mark the end of an era when security was far less of a consideration and when flying was still glamorous and exciting. The event takes place tomorrow at 4pm.

 

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Where will the comedy welcoming band groupies hang out now?

  2. Jotnar says:

    Can we move it to outside the LA, so we can wave goodbye to all those who will not be re-elected in May?

  3. Anonymous says:

    Those who attend a celebratory get together to mark the end of the waving gallery have no soul!

  4. Anonymous says:

    Another unique feature of a visit to the Cayman Islands discarded without due (architectural) consideration.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Thumbs up to all comments so far. To remove the ability to wave friends and family in is so pathetic. Just put a barrier up and LEAVE IT.
    And thanks for getting our opinion to the new design that also feature absolutely NO shade for those waiting to collect pees or to be collected.

  6. Cayman Architect says:

    A poor result. With a little effort this feature could have been preserved by simply installing UV-resistant impact glass and a sturdy handrail. Da wa ya get when you use foreign architects!

    • L Bradley Green says:

      Da wa ya get?? Architects’ (foreign or otherwise) design for such a government project would be based on a very explicit design brief, committee approval, etc.
      Da do wa da told, dimwit !

  7. Anonymous says:

    Such a shame that they couldn’t have just glassed this in to meet the international requirements..Roy and gang are out looking for support of their culture and heritage plan..but we just destroy anything that meant anything everyday..

  8. Anonymous says:

    Do we know if all of upstairs is closing (ie. offices, Hungry Horse), or just the viewing gallery? It would be nice if “the Horse” stayed open for as long as possible.

  9. Anonymous says:

    Of course travel is no longer glamorous, or friendly. It will be even less so once our uniquely Caymanian waving gallery is gone. Another little piece of Cayman’s soul thrown on the garbage heap of progress.

  10. Anonymous says:

    I am stilll waiting for someone to confirm whether or not Mr. Jim Bodden drew an outline of the A- frame structure on a napkin during a flight either to or from George Town. Not merely because I am curious but because I haven’t heard one word of compliment to him. It might have been spoken just I have not heard or read it.

  11. Anonymous says:

    total bs

  12. Anonymous says:

    CIAA, why is an “event” needed to mark this closure? Use the money on providing sometihing for the travelling public while the reconstruction continues, e.g free small bottles of water. Use it to make sure the reconstruction progresses at the fastest possible pace.
    I do not recall an “event” to mark the closure of the fence (previous waving gallery) when the current airport structure was opened.

    • Anonymous says:

      If you need to ask why an event is need, then you don’t know Cayman very well, especially in election year. Wotes!

  13. Tom says:

    I hope the new design facilitates something close to a waving gallery.

  14. G. Fawkes says:

    Should have done it on November 5th.

    • good cop says:

      So flying is no longer glamorous and exciting? We gathered that. Please tell the Immigration officers not to look so menacing when we arrive in baggage claim. No one is bringing in any problems. This is all made up stupidity. People are people just wanting to get from one place to the other. The tear down of the waving gallery is a huge mistake.
      Go ahead and make things more uncomfortable for people. Just more people being unfriendly and terse. Please get with it Cayman and get some seeker friendly attitudes on. Other places are competing for the tourist dollar so you had better get with it with your airport and your roads. Forget the stupid roundabouts and get a handle on your crazy traffic with some stop lights. You are producing more stress for people there. Too much over crowding and third world like cinditions. We in Jamaica have more roads but you could work at your traffic problems.

      • Anonymous says:

        Not sure anyone from Jamaica should be passing comment on roads or driving to be brutally honest.

      • Anonymous says:

        Yes , you do have more roads in Jam’ , but driving past Half Moon Bay at 90 mph isn’t what I’d call friendly or inviting. Nor is the bus ride from MoBay to Negril at excess speeds , passing on unbroken double lines and blind corners . That said , the immigration & customs personnel at Sangster Intl’ are courteous, friendly and very inviting to Jamaica , as they also are at Norman Manly.The one young officer even went as far as to thank us for our return visit to Jamaica . O.R.I.A personnel would do well to follow their example as a neighbouring destination, for visitors and residents alike. I have faith that the new airport expansion will enhance this outlook and look forward to the improvements in our airport for the future.

    • Anonymous says:

      Why???

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