Airport reinstates drop-off and pick-up kerbside access
(CNS): The controversial ban on allowing private drivers to drop off and pick up passengers at the kerb outside the Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA) has been overturned. The Cayman Islands Airports Authority has said that from next Monday, 14 February, private vehicles will once again be allowed access for this purpose. But officials said that all vehicles entering the approach road to the ORIA terminal will be subject to security screening at the checkpoint booth before they will be allowed to approach the terminals.
In August last year, the CIAA revealed that only authorised public transportation and tour operators would be permitted to drop off or pick up passengers directly in front of the main terminal because of security measures, which caused a public outcry.
Since then the tourism ministry, the airport, disability organisations and the governor’s office have been in discussions over how ORIA can meet international security requirements in a cost-effective way and still allow people to drop off and pick up their friends and family outside the terminals.
“We understand that these changes to vehicular traffic flows entering and exiting ORIA impacted our customers, but our goal has always been to ensure a safe and secure environment while maintaining a positive customer experience,” said Chief Airport Security Officer Chad Yates. “With kerbside access now being reinstated, we have implemented new screening measures, such as security screening of unvetted, public vehicles, to help protect the traveling and general public, and will remain vigilant that kerbside use is conducted in a timely manner.”
Commenting on the new system, Tourism and Transport Minister Kenneth Bryan, who had committed to finding a way to allow private cars access to the kerb, said he was pleased the authority had reinstated and remained in compliance with international security requirements.
“Travelling is time-sensitive and people need and expect a fast, efficient and convenient way to drop off or pick up travellers,” he said. “This is a win-win solution that keeps safety as the top priority and delivers a better experience for the public.”
Airport customers can still use the drop-off zone in the Short-Term parking lot, located just before reaching the Airport Security Checkpoint Booth, which has been allocated for departing and arriving passengers. Parking in that zone is free for up to five minutes. After that, however, standard parking rates of $2 per hour apply.
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Category: Local News, Travel
This is all plain stupidness! Where’s the creditable information that someone is planning to blow up the Cayman Islands Airport that has, what? 8,000 people on a good day travel through it and by this master plan will be carried out by a car dropping off or picking up family at it??? Let’s be a bit reasonable here. If I was one of these ignorant people, why would I waste time in such a small insignificant airport as opposed to one of the larger such as many in the USA or Europe? Afterall, none of these have a “check booth” to go over that huge bomb loaded vehicle I would be driving with my family in it.
This crap can be expected in some third world countries or the like. There is nothing that suggests this paranoia in the Cayman Islands and if I am wrong, please publish these credible threats that the public is aware.
Finally, it is indeed a huge disappointment that not only do Caymanians & visitors alike have to exit the latest and most touted modern airplane in pouring down rain only to scurry into a cold terminal, but then make a run through same and the parking lot dragging luggage to get to their car or pickup vehicle.
Correct the shortsightedness here by using the monies wasted on this ridiculous idea dreamt up by someone or a few looking for some pat on the shoulder to rectify this real issue. I/We Cayman would be quite happy to provide that pat for you. Shoot we may even mention in the news just for you!
Why with all the money that the airport cost to build why oh why is it not up to international standards with jetways so people dont get soaked getting to the plane?????? Total stupidity and lack of foresight on both the designers (who??) and the govt.
Boy, Johann has a job on his hands with the CIAA. At least he seems to have made a positive start.
09 @ 10:36am – You’re right. Others have tried and failed because of the Lodge wall. Is he in or out? If he’s in, expect no fundamental changes, if he’s out…..Hmmm?
Throw the peasants some easy pickings to satisfy their hunger?
This whole situation was unnecessary and a waste of time and money. Are there barricades and thick walls all along the drive to the airport? Have you taken in the sights of the airplanes and the runway as you turn on the airport drive, past the post office and cargo and customs buildings, etc? Can you not pull right up to the fence (yes, that standard, run of the mill chainlink fence that offers SOOOOOO much security protection that cars have been known to plow right through it on occasion)? The little parking lots that line that stretch, with only a braided wire fence between any potential terrorist and those unsuspecting planes… As you round the bend towards the car rentals, is there not again a simple fence separating would-be bombers only feet from boarding passengers?? What’s to stop a Timothy McVey minded person from racing an explosive-loaded van through that flimsy fenceline and right into those planes??? Would be a hell of a lot easier than detonating a bomb at the curbside of the terminal – where concrete and steel constructs offer at least some protection between plane and danger.
This was the most assinine move we’ve seen in a while… no rhyme or reason and word on the street is it wasn’t even a mandated measure….simply a suggestion for best practice. So now we are stuck with pointless checkpoints that they need to find some use for and the next big brain idea is to just use them as a security stop anyway… what’s the goal here?? Do you have bomb sniffing dogs? Sophisticated detectors to swipe under and around vehicles? Or intimidating officers that will grill each driver and passenger for the contents of their vehicle (because of course the criminal is going to cave and admit it upon questioning).
Let’s just admit this was a bad idea – well-intentioned – but nonetheless unnecessary and ridiculous, and restore the airport to its proper use and flow. Chalk the expense up to an overzealous CEO trying to manage the idiocracy of motherland (who has no real insight into what makes sense here) and we will all just forgive and forget.
But if you keep up this little game with the checkpoints as if that’s the alternative, you’re just being silly.
Given there are no problems dropping off in the UK I don’t think you can pin this on the “idiocracy of motherland”.
😎😉
what a joke. What is this security booth actually going to check for and how? we think we’re such hotshot security experts (we don’t even have a national intelligence agency) but in reality the guy or lady in the booth will have nothing to go on to determine if someone poses a risk. total farce
8:32 What can they change to please the likes of you.
8:32 here. I liked your comment because you are right, I did not say what should change. I was asking a question. What is the value of having the booth? How will it make the airport safer? If we are building a booth just to have a booth for a security officer to say hello to people motoring in that is a waste of money in my honest opinion and in that case I propose we do not have a booth. An answer to my question is what would make me happy.
But they already added the booth and the security officers. Presumably to make sure that the taxi drivers were taxi drivers. Although when we turned up for the first flight of the day the booth was shut because they don’t start that early in the morning – all the taxis queue g to get in had to turn around and drop us off in the short term car park!
Get rid of the pretend security.
Very sad what these Islands have come to.
Well if they do it properly they should check under the car with a mirror and inspect the boot and either ask to look in the suitcases or use an explosives detector. But that would take time and effort, and result in a huge q. So they’ll do nothing. But remember – the security booth is not there for secure. It’s there for 2 reasons: save face on retreating from their stupid plan, and provide a favoured security contractor with a nice little contract for running the booth.
8:32 here again. I haven’t been to the airport since covid so I haven’t seen the booth yet but if it is as you describe (and it does not surprise me at all that’s what happened to you), my question is even more pressing. What is the booth for? How does it make us safer? If there is no answer, they can cut their losses and just sell the booth on ecay. Someone must need a garden shed.
The only person I can ever remember being killed at the airport was by a taxi. Maybe they should be banned from parking anywhere near the terminal building.
Another private sector board fumbling along.
Who appointed the current Board at CIAA?
This was approved by the last Government. This government inherited the issue.
Almost all of the “PPM Board” resigned after the last election.
PPM
nothing to do with private sector….ciaa is cig appointed and paid for by cig just like the civil service….hence the shambolic performance
It is in fact a public sector board.
These are Semi-Autonomous Government Corps, SAGCs. It’s the worst combo of both worlds: our money, with zero transparency, and no accountability.
You mean just like before? Not.
“…all vehicles entering the approach road to the ORIA terminal will be subject to security screening at the checkpoint booth before they will be allowed to approach the terminals.” Oh boy, this should be fun and well organized.
Wonder if this checkpoint will become as infamous as Checkpoint Charlie?
Having been to checkpoint Charlie and seen the lifeless, motionless mannequins dressed up in uniform to provide an atmosphere of what it used to be like (it doesn’t really), I don’t expect to see any difference from the current security staff manning our version tbh.
Jeez, if they just extended the free parking in short stay to 15 or 20 minutes, this would all go away.
9:53 You will still walk in the rain.
True dat.
Still, if it’s raining you are going to get p*ssed on between the gate and plane anyway.
@9:53 – your suggestion is too simply for it to make sense to CIAA
This whole thing was completely absurd and bizarre. Worried about (a) car bombs and, more specifically, (b) car bombs being detonated at the airport entrance??
Why? What? Who? How?
CBLF (Cayman Brac Liberation Front).
They can take our turtle kraals but they’ll never take out soldiers!
People’s Front of Judea
Splitters!
This never needed to happen. How much money has already been spent and wasted implementing a failed system?
The security thing is a joke. Private cars will be subject to security screening but taxis won’t? This is just a face saving exercise to prove it was all about security when it wasn’t.
The Governor’s statement made it clear. It was about an inability to manage traffic flow and very little to do with security. It is really sad to see those involved still trying to desperately exert control on a public who have had enough of these kinds of stupid rules.
Shame on the CIAA for forgetting they serve the people who use the airport and not the other way round.
People need to be held accountable for this fiasco but they won’t. As usual they will reward poor performance and try to dress it up as success. Really unbelievable!
The Governor spun the tale to cover his ass and control the narrative just like he has done with the Eric Bush fiasco in the AG’s report. Just because the Governor office or a Brit says so does not mean it’s correct or without politics. CIAA did not impose enhanced security measures on itself. The UK handles security for Cayman.
I simply don’t believe this. The CIAA cannot even provide parking machines which accept credit cards! (I am not talking about the machines at the exit but the ones in the airport terminal building!!) These were put in years ago and never accepted cards. Maybe they do now but give them a few months and they will be back to being broken.
I went to the airport the other day to collect a friend coming in and it started to pour with rain. The CIAA’s designated arrivals waiting area is outside without any cover or shade. When I asked about why we couldn’t wait inside, socially distanced, I was told it was a security and safety issue! How can this be? It is negligence on an epic scale. Even the people working in the taxi line were embarrassed and didn’t know what to say, apart from “You think with $100m they could do better!!)
The CIAA have shown themselves to be more and more inept at providing even basic customer service. This isn’t about the Governor but the CIAA being inept at finding solutions which meet their customer’s needs and can meet the regulatory framework. It appears as if they are very happy to create restrictions based on security but completely unable to meet the needs of the people who actually use the airport!
Ask PPM MP’s that served from 2017-2021 that approved the budget and design of the new airport without all the things that the public expected.
It is not functional because of the political decision makers that drove the project who directed the project is that not clear to right thinking persons in blogger land?
Yes I understand that the PPM agreed the budget for the airport. However that doesn’t make any difference to the responsibilities of the CIAA on this issue. The PPM didn’t design the new airport, the CIAA did!
Either the CIAA knew about the security concerns around drop off locations and this should have been incorporated into the design or they didn’t know, which is equally negligent. Either way it is the CIAA which is the problem here. If the PPM didn’t provide enough funding then the CIAA should have said at the time, we will have the following problems going forward ….. and they didn’t.
So no I don’t buy the PPM didn’t fund this properly argument for this and many other issues related to giving a good guest experience. It is clear from the comments from Chad Yates that he still doesn’t understand the bigger picture here and this is where the problem is. The CIAA’s job isn’t just to focus on safety and security, it is to provide these things in a way which reflects and understanding of driving a positive guest experience. For a long time they have been focused more on the wrong areas.
The airport is the first and last thing visitors to these islands will experience. It is vital that people receive a positive experience and this is the last thing (apparently) on the CIAA’s mind.
Now move the staff parking!
That would make far too much sense!
Jetways next? Please for the love of sweet baby Jesus
5:45, Nope. You had your chance with the Canadians but said no. So get wet.
We are a people who love the rain. Part of our cultural heritage.
ha ha, note the absenteeism on rainy days…
Jetways to where..?
The terminal is not designed with an upper level arrivals that Jetways would lead to.
I for one prefer to arrive into the warmth of the Caribbean, ..and use an umbrella if it’s raining.
You like paddling through puddles as well given they didn’t grade the apron properly?
Certain 3:02 you always travel with an umbrella when you come here.
The terminal was designed cheaply because they did not want to spend the extra money for Jetways.
Certainly not world class but the people who run it are world class. 😝 😆 😂
The 747 penny has dropped, they screwed up and have been forced to unscrew it.
Just give it up already. Enforce traffic laws that are actually posing a threat to society.
Like DUI….exactly.
Now please deal with us getting soaked in the rain walking to the planes and getting off the planes during rainy weather.
Unbelievable, the persons that screwed it up and took credit for straightening it out. We should pay for the Board Chair and the Minister to go to Miami and let one hold a measuring tape from the drop-off in Miami and the other the end to CAL counter. Such stupidity and they really believe we must pat them on the back.
You have no idea what you’re talking about typical crab
Be a Bracker and try visiting Grand Cayman for medical reasons in the current situation, when you try to navigate to a ride with a bag you will know what a typical crap is.
What do they care? it’s not their money.
07 @ 5:34pm – Yes but, the Minister can’t go to Miami.
Thank you CIAA
“A lot of work has been done and discussions had with the governor’s office and relevant overseas regulatory agencies to find a sensible solution that is appropriate for Cayman’s risk profile. In my opinion, what was originally recommended was excessive and defies logic, given the evidence provided and our low-risk status under the current circumstances.”
Moxam said he was confident that a viable solution would be accepted and implemented during the coming weeks.
https://caymannewsservice.com/2022/01/airport-parking-fees-back-kerbside-drop-off-still-banned/
You lost me at ‘the governor’.
But wait, I thought it was a matter of international law? A security measure that we had no option but to enforce. Just as everyone said, complete BS.
It was absolute BS. What is the guy in the booth going to check for? Turbans?
It’s easier to check the director & CIAA board for brains. Then again they may not find anything.
The terrorists from the West Bay Liberation Front. Need to check them out. They drive hot Hondas.
Turbans? Because Sikh fundamentalist terrorism is our main threat? Or do you simply not differentiate between any non Christian religions? Or even understand that there are Christian based terrorist groups as well. Watch out for those Buddhist car bombers – they’re the worst.
I knew there would be some stick in the mud jumping on the turban comment. I bet you’re fun at parties.
Jeez. It was a joke to make a point. Point was made AND it was funny.
If you are not a Sikh. Bet you laughed at the Jimmy Carr joke too.
Radical Catholics and Protestants are up there too.
I didn’t think keffiyeh would be as funny, or understandable, actually. Plus most of the best pejoratives are out of favor. I pretty sure no one misunderstood.
I understood perfectly. You think terrorists are a) not white b) non Christian fundamentalists.
Correct!
Canada has white and Christian trucker terrorists.
A completely new type of terrorist.
4:35, Yeah, somebody looked at the new Bermuda Airport and realized it was not international law or related to security.
We are easily bamboozled here in Cayman by our brilliant politicians.
Brilliant politicians or down right liars?
Finally I see you there Chairman Moxam