EIA TORs released for damaging airport projects
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA) is inviting the public to take part in the consultation process for three of its proposed major projects outlined in the 2041 Airports Master Plan. Terms of reference for the EIAs were published last week and are now available for people to read, consider and submit their thoughts. All of the projects pose risks to the environment, but extending the ORIA runway into the North Sound and the relocation of Little Cayman’s airfield present very serious threats.
The work on the terms of reference for these three environmental impact assessments, required under the provisions of the National Conservation Act, began months before the elections, and the projects were part of the former administration’s policy position on expanding all of the Cayman Islands’ airports.
The contract to conduct the EIAs was won by consultants Royal HaskoningDHV.
The National Coalition for Caymanians, which took office three weeks ago, and the newly appointed tourism minister, Gary Rutty, haven’t yet set out the policy position on these projects. However, the new administration is already facing the risk of a deficit this year due to the eleventh-hour spending of the UMP minority Cabinet, which may very well affect the costly projects being proposed by the CIAA.
The authority has claimed that these projects are all “absolutely necessary” for the long-term, sustainable development of Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman, Edward Bodden Airfield on Little Cayman and Charles Kirkconnell International Airport on Cayman Brac. However, there is considerable public concern about the costs and environmental damage, and in the case of Little Cayman, the significant implications for the future of the island.
The consultation offers the wider community a chance to comment on the ToRs, which will guide the entire EIA process. It will include public meetings where the people will be able to offer their opinion on what the EIA should consider before a decision is made on any of these controversial proposals.
“These projects will shape the future of Cayman’s airports for generations to come,” said CIAA CEO Albert Anderson. “We are committed to sustainable development that balances environmental responsibility with service excellence, and community input is essential to developing solutions that best serve the Cayman Islands now and in the future,” he added as he urged people to come to one of three meetings on each island next week.
The projects include the runway extension at Owen Roberts International Airport to allow for larger planes, opening up the possibility of more flights from Europe. However, there have been no concrete indications from any airlines that they would begin frequent flying to Grand Cayman if the runway were longer.
The project would involve the reclamation of land from the ocean to create an additional 2,100ft of runway eastward into the North Sound. It puts at risk over 22 acres of benthic habitat, including seagrass beds, sponges and coral colonies. There are also intertidal and coastal habitats that would be affected within the footprint and indirectly during construction.
The habitats in this general area are already affected by threats from tourism, development and dredging and include intertidal and coastal habitats together with the shallow subtidal areas that support seagrass beds and sedimentary habitat, both of which provide an important role in ecosystem health.
“The loss of such habitats, particularly in an area that has already been exploited through coastal development, dredging and tourism, can have a significant effect,” the scientists involved have already noted in the draft ToRs. “Seagrass habitats provide shelter and food for many species, bind the sediment and reduce wave action, thereby providing some stability for the sediment and potential for coast protection and provide a carbon storage reservoir.”
The widening of the runway strip at Charles Kirkconnell International Airport on Cayman Brac is the least environmentally damaging of the project proposals, but there are concerns about the cost, given the lack of visitors to justify it. It is also not without its environmental concerns, as it will see the destruction of a number of important ponds and wetland areas.
The proposal to move the Edward Bodden Airfield on Little Cayman is of significant concern. The residents are vehemently opposed to the idea, and the massive amount of environmental damage to the island is not the only problem. Anything that increases visitor numbers to Little Cayman puts the island at risk of over-development and the destruction of even more of its still pristine environment.
Because of the abundance of marine life minimally impacted by external influence, the Little Cayman Marine Parks and Protected Areas were placed on the United Kingdom’s World Heritage Tentative List in 2023 and are under consideration for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site status. Moving the airport could put this at risk.
At least three internationally important protected areas are very close to the proposed location, which is in the centre of the island’s untouched natural habitat. The Booby Pond Nature Reserve, Crown Wetlands and Sparrowhawk Hill will all be at risk.
There are currently no roads or infrastructure in the area of the island where the proposed project would be built, so if it goes ahead, it would open up more of the island to development, further threatening the delicate ecosystems that have so far escaped the bulldozer.
The Public Consultation Period is open until 6 June. Residents are encouraged to review the draft ToRs and share their feedback.
The documents are available for review at caymanairports.com and conservation.ky/eia-reports, and there are compressed versions in the CNS Library. Hard copies can be viewed at the Department of Environment, Environmental Centre, 580 North Sound Road, George Town, Grand Cayman.
Feedback can be submitted to the Department of Environment (DoE) in writing via email to doe@gov.kydirect mail, or by hand delivery. It can also be submitted at the public outreach meetings with representatives from the CIAA, consultants Royal HaskoningDHV, and the EAB.
All of the meetings begin at 5:30pm.
| Grand Cayman | Tuesday, 27 May | ORIA 2nd Floor Conference Rooms |
| Cayman Brac | Wednesday, 28 May | Alexander Hotel |
| Little Cayman | Thursday, 29 May | Little Cayman Beach Resort |
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Category: Land Habitat, Local News, Policy, Politics, Science & Nature, Travel
I am not sure why we’re having another public meeting. Do they think that something has changed and those who objected last time have somehow changed their minds?
Pave paradise and put up a parking lot. ~ Joni Mitchell
No means No. my environment and wildlife and ecosystem is more important than a airport expansion.
people protested the airport redevelopment (and every other capital infrastructure investment) because they don’t like change, “too expensive” blah blah blah.
look at the airport now compared to the overcrowded run down one we had! no one complaining and everyone benefitting!
same going to happen when the runway is extended. don’t bother listening to the noise, get er done!
Thank God this man is no longer in charge and making decisions! Spending our money like he is a billionaire and leaving the country in debt! Spending our money spend spend on stupid vanity projects and now the ludicrous. Stop and think for a minute!
Kenneth’s face is still on his Illegal massive PPM billboards.
This should be removed ASAP.
Bahamas has the longest runway in the Caribbean and 97% of their tourists still come from the US. Might as well light the money on fire.
European arrive on the BA flights from UK.
Only had to look at the picture.
NO NO NO
People initiated referendum needed.
i hope this new government do not finish the previous government bad ideas that’s why they are the new government
# Can it
# Bin it
# Scrap it.
We can’t afford it. Full stop.🛑 It’s that simple.
I am hopeful that the new government will call a pause in these very expensive and very destructive airport expansion policies while they establish their priorities.
As it stands these processes that were initiated by the previous government are proceeding under their own momentum and costing us tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars per month in consultants fees alone.
Enough is enough. We voted out the PPM/UDP/UPM and we don’t want to keep paying for their nonsense.
BEFORE we even think about this project (let along hire consultants just to draft the TOR), we should be privy to the business case for it in the first place.
Do we have any indication whatsoever that some huge influx of european or middle eastern tourists will take advantage of jumbo jet flights?
The hotel and airline companies have access to global market data and research and have tools for deciding when/where to build hotels, and add routes, and improve air lift. It’s not rocket science.
Has anyone talked to anyone with an actual clue to see if it even makes sense to spend the money (before we even worry about environment). Because if not, then it should be dead on the table and that’s it.
To skip that step and go right to the environmental debate is putting the cart before the horse.
Emirates is starting direct flights from Dubai to Jamaica. Let’s see how that goes for a season. If those flights are sold out and packed, then perhaps it’s worth discussing. If they’re as empty as the Barbados flights then kill it now and leave it alone.
Does anyone know if attendance is possible via Zoom for any of the meetings?
Heather can dredge it for us, with Wayne’s consent.
Horse Asses!
I can understand the concern of the runway extension into the North Sound and the environmental impacts. Never the less we must seriously think and consider the benefits of this project. We said no to the cruise piers which I strongly opposed as well, but have we considered that at some point the revenue from cruise Tourism will soon dry up and then where does the Government fill that revenue shortfall. We Citizens of the Cayman Islands all want our cake and eat it too. We want a First Class place in which we call home and the same time we all want to contribute very little to receive alot. The best infrastructure, the best Health Care System as a few examples with little or no contribution. No income tax, no property tax, Land Bank on all three Islands and much more. If this continues where else besides the financial Sector does Government gets its revenue to fund and maintain necessary projects and obligations to its Citizens. We are very selfish as Caymanians paper or indigenous as well as expats especially expats who come to these Islands an expect everything done their way knowing that back in their Countries of birth it’s unheard of. You come here don’t pay tax and get away with murder by saving all your money and properties to brag about when you cannot do it anywhere else. I am not racist, but a realist I am not discriminating but just giving it straight. Unless you have a Golden solution to all of the Caymanian problems and The Cayman Islands Government as well you can have your input but at the same time respect that no one has all the answers or solutions but you should not haphazardly shoot down or disagree with everything just for disagreement sake and have your way all the time. There is nothing out at the end of the runway but black grass and silt if anything building the extended runway on pylons will do wonders for marine life as habitat. I have been in the Aviation Field for a long time and I am no novice to what it takes for safe operations of wide body aircraft to operate in and out of Grand Cayman or anywhere. I remain open to more sensible suggestions than just a plain blank no to everything. Thank you.
Yours is the song of the entitled. The “best health care with little or no contribution”???? Do you really live here? Some of us have been lifelong “contributors”, and are barely making ends meet, soon to fail. For what my family pays for health insurance and health care, I could probably finance a boutique condo right next to yours.
Here’s a suggestion save the north sound considering Harilyn Bodden family will also be dredging the North Sound as well. Both dredging will affect the North Sound and potentially sting ray city.. The airport can be moved somewhere else that the impact will not be too severe to the environment and would be cheaper to the public. If the long term goal is to grow cayman, the airport in its current location is not sustainable. You cannot even find parking for traveling over long weekends.
Move it to where? How do you know that is remotely an option with less environmental impact?
There is a lot of land available that Imparato owns in east end that is not environmentally sensitive as the north sound. Just my 2 cents.
A special kind of stupid you are.
Spaces in between sentences, please. You lose an audience when everything is jumbled together.
…otherwise known as ‘paragraphs’.
LOL
Another idiot adviser for wonderland
“we must seriously think and consider the benefits of this project” Yes! Exactly!
Wait, what are they again?
And what’s that? The EIA is supposed to compare the costs (environmental and economic) against the economic benefits of the project so we can decide if its really value for money or not?
No from round here are you
Just follow the money.
Good idea, even tho the old Mac is no longer here, his protege, New Mac, is still in town.
old Mac is still here stirring it up until his false walker and the rest is done
Thanks to McKeever for de-listing the Westerly Ponds on the Brac, there are now virtually no large wetlands left. This expansion is totally un-necessary as there’s plenty of room for the dozen or so CAL of flights which come and go every day. Very few private jets – maybe a couple a month…We don’t need this expansion.
Little Cayman will essentially lose its unique attraction with yet another proposal for a new, expanded airport.
North Sound does not need to be destroyed to cater to non-existent European flights.
Just STOP!
“ “Seagrass habitats provide shelter and food for many species, bind the sediment and reduce wave action, thereby providing some stability for the sediment and potential for coast protection”
Let me guess – notwithstanding this advice Isaac is still going to get to dig up the seagrass for his “swimming holes”.
This is all very much like the cruise port fiasco; Yes, these projects might enhance our three islands, but at what cost? Better question is, who will benefit most from them?
At a time when our economy is at its lowest, and our debt is most severe, shouldn’t we wish for prudence, care and caution? If we are to spend great gouts of money, let it be on projects that benefit the most Caymanians, many of which are desperately struggling to make ends meet, feed their families, and who are desperately close to losing their overpriced health insurance. Have a heart, new government. The people need you. If you choose to fund these superprojects, then we will know the heart of you.
The Dunning-Kruger effect describes a cognitive bias where people with low competence in a specific area tend to overestimate their abilities in that area. Kenneth Bryan with pretty much everything.
Do Not Put a Runway In the Sea!
Beyond the ecological damage just wait until a hurricane roles through …
How dumb can you be ?
12.20…Ask Hong Kong.
Or Jamaica
Why don’t they just extend the runway West inland and move roads if needed? That would be much simpler (even if they have to take away some land from people to run new roads through).
Also I thought the long haul flights needed an extended runway for old planes but newer long haul planes do not need such a long runway ? Is this even necessary ?
Duh Einstein, nobody thought of that.!
Height restrictions on the approach path mean that the runway can only be lengthened towards North Sound.
No they don’t. Where there is a will, there is a way.
Where there’s a will there’s also International approach height restrictions.
Then meet them, what’s the issue?
Existing buildings…
If they could have landed in Kai Tak Airport they can clear here.
What a load of malarkey! Height restrictions ? Utter nonsense. There would just need to be some land acquisitions, buildings taken down and roads moved. It would be the same set up as we have now. A far better option than building out into North Sound.
Then please inform the FAA and CIAA.
Also while you’re at it ask Walkers, CNB, Flowers group and others in the way, if they’d mind awfully if their buildings were taken down.
Cool story, except they are not in the way.
That is why the airport needs to be moved. We are throwing good money on a property that has a shelf life of 20 years. You don’t thing planes are going to be built bigger and larger? The cruise lines are doing this now.
I will continue to hope we are left behind, sans the megaships and megaplanes.
@8:24
IndiGo, an Indian airline, is known for its large-capacity aircraft, with some flights carrying 500+ passengers. Specifically, IndiGo operates a Boeing 777 with a 531-seat configuration. This includes 7 business class and 524 economy class seats. IndiGo also has a fleet of 300+ Airbus and ATR aircraft, with 500 more on order.
Current buildings all fall within height restrictions don’t they?
Yes, but if aircraft approach at a lower level , the buildings will not meet the height requirement.
Actually, the Airports Authority plans showed they could lengthen towards the west within the current height restrictions.
It was just ‘easier’ for them to go east than to try to have Govt move the road & put in the extra lanes on Bobby Thompson Way, as was originally planned. (Basically they gave up waiting and went to Plan B.)
21 @ 2:1pm Duh Einstein yourself! Extending the runway to the west is the better option. It DOES NOT alter the landing profiles, it just provides more runway for TAKE OFF. That is the need, not for landings!!
‘That would be much simpler (even if they have to take away some land from people to run new roads through).’
You wanna try and take my land?
Simpler if you put it through your land!
How did that work on Mr Chris, not working on my land either. Go sit your backside down!
That would be much simpler (even if they have to take away some land from people to run new roads through).
F*** you talking about somebody’s land offering for for the taking…let’s offer up your land..??
Why you so angry?
You probably don’t even own any land let alone the land that is needed for the runway extension.
Government can take land by law where it is legitimate. Trying to take Red Spot Beach for a bunch of drunks and non-Caymanians who sell fish from Honduras as a ‘Cayman cultural’ reason/excuse is not a legitimate purpose. Tearing down mostly makeshift dwellings (that probably are illegal and never received planning approval in the first place) to accommodate a longer runway and build needed roads etc would be a legitimate reason. Any land taken would be fairly compensated at market value.
Any update on the private terminal?
You mean the Kenny B Aviators’ Lounge?
The LYB relocation is very much needed in order to accommodate what will undoubtedly be very high revenue generating direct jet flights from Barbados. Every Bajan wants to fly directly to Little Cayman several times a year, this is a well known fact.
Good satire. I hope.
Love the sarcasm and the irony.
No, just no to anything Cola Kenny thinks is a good idea. And leave LYB the F alone you clowns, its perfect.
And can we PLEASE be spared any more photos of the convicted criminal Narcissist posing.
His time is over, go away, go far away Coke Kenneth .
This!!!!!
#hashtag
#poundsign
Not nearly as damaging as the illegal billboards.
As author mentioned, there are no solid indicators for another non-stop European or South American long-haul flight. And even if an airline introduces a new flight (besides BA), it wouldn’t be more than once weekly. Is that really worth all the investment? Europeans prefer all-inclusive inexpensive destinations like Dominican Republic or Cuba, which are the opposite of what Cayman offers. South Americans have flights via Panama and Miami.
Thanks to KB, we are already paying higher airport taxes for a few years that are now approx. $165 for a return flight which is absolutely ridiculous. If we must, lets better use those funds to expand the terminal with proper air bridges and a decent long term parking space to not be stressed where to park in busy periods. The runway expansion is damaging for the environment, low return and low priority on the airport upgrade plan. Unless someone was to personally benefit from this project, I see no urgency to proceed and hopefully the new government will realize that.
Yes it is worth it. We want Cayman to be a hub for global international just like Panama is to make it easier and faster to travel for Caymanians.
The bridge to Honduras is higher priority for the weekend second family visits.
Lol, Cayman to become an intercontinental air hub like Panama would require a new airport in EE. There are multiple airports in much bigger Caribbean islands doing just fine with a single or no UK connection. Have you compared COPA fleet size to CAL? Have you compared the taxes we pay vs Panama airport? Like Barbados adventure was not enough, some ppl need reality check.
One weekly to Europe is worth all this money that Caymanians will be repaying for years? Really?
New 4 seasons planned.
The new Hyatt will be ready in a year.
Another Hyatt planned for the old Paradise manor site.
Westin adding 100 or so rooms.
One GT about to finish.
Long haul flights will be needed to fill rooms.
Not saying good or bad, just stating facts.
Are all the hotels filled now? Heading into the summer when families are vacationing, how’s the hotel occupancy?
One GT was never intended as a hotel. Pull the wool.
Geezum,
It did not take Kenny long (hours, days?) to switch back and get another pocket full from Stantec – who have Built over 200 airports globally.
I remember the redesign of Owen Roberts, International Airport, GCM and our politicianstried to fool us by saying, oh look “it’s a design like a turtle”
Duh…. Or exactly like the Bahamas airport, Bvi, or 20 other airports that they did in the same timeframe?
Stop taking us for fools and spending money, the Europeans will not go nine hours for our price point.
If this boondoggle continues, at least do what St. Lucia did many-many years ago and build economy at the other end of the island.
Saint Lucia’s population is estimated at 180,099 as of May 21, 2025. The island has two airports: Hewanorra International Airport in Vieux Fort (south) and George F. L. Charles Airport in Castries (north). Hewanorra handles international flights, while George F. L. Charles Airport mainly serves regional flights
We should expect this regime to take command of all large capex projects and suspend any continuation of harmful self-dealing waste initiated by the outgoing group. All the SAGCs need their Boards and controllers reviewed for conflicts, nomination expertise, and/or replacement with competence.
‘Regime’? Be careful!
what is the point of this runway expansion? not to attract European tourists right? Cayman is far too expensive for them. I remember KB lying about other airlines wanting to fly here but had concerns about the length of the runway… I remember him mentioning Saudia wanted to come here hahaha…. Virgin had concerns in regards to the length of the runway, yet during covid the BA 777-200 flew directly from here to LHR, loaded and a full tank of fuel. Please correct me if im wrong about the planed being loaded. We are too expensive to attract the average European. Extending this runway is a waste of money.
The same applies to jets arriving from S. America. Common sense if it prevails will kill the runway extension as it will not increase air traffic.
Totally agree, even back in the 90s Boeing 757s flew here from Peru and stopped short enough to pull into the taxiway, no turnaround required.
The problem in Cayman is not landing distance. The amount of fuel required to make it across the Atlantic from Cayman, makes it impossible to take off with a full load of passengers, hence the additional runway required to accommodate the increased takeoff weight.
See comment above at 5:58pm.
BA managed it with no issues during Covid. GCM-LHR non-stop.
They weren’t taking full loads of passengers durid cowid lockdown, genius, only LFTs
They were taking passengers without stopping in Nassau – I was on one and there was a real person next to me, not a bag of LFTs
Not so. I flew to the UK (early Oct 2020) on one of the first direct flights with passengers – masks, UK quarantine, etc. Plane was quite full. No issues with take off or landing when I returned about 6 weeks later still with the same restrictions.
Exactly. And since if you do need more take-off space (full fuel & passengers to Europe vs lockdown loads) then you extend the runway to the west and voila you have a longer takeoff runway. Problem solved, no expensive & damaging dredging. (And the price can include a nice new cricket ground, perhaps up by the Govt or CIFA sports grounds so we can make best use f the parking and infrastructure already in place.)
The reason this will go forward is the massive amount of fill required. The quarries and especially the truckers will be salivating over this one and don’t expect Jay to do anything but push this forward asap. We absolutely don’t need a 2,000′ longer runway and never did.
No, its already really shallow there in that part of the north sound.
I flew on BA direct during Covid. Not sure why that didn’t continue as it was great!
The BA covid planes were never full. It typically needs 8,858 feet for take off, we currently have 7,867 feet of runway.
There is no way you can legally get airborne with a full load of passengers out of here to London in a B777, especially with full tanks. Please do some research before posting such rubbish.
BA has flown multiple times direct to LHR from here with the 777-200 in recent years. Totally full. Whether fuel tanks are full is another story, although you do not need full tanks to fly West to UK from here anyhow if jetstream is low enough, etc. Covid flights went. There’s also been midnight or even later flights due to technical issues that flew direct from here. The 777 is a wonder of engineering, the engines are capable of astonishing power generation that is likely never used at all in any commercial flight. The 777 can fly direct. They just don’t schedule it for whatever reason internally to BA.
Loss of Bahamas revenue would be one good reason.
And nonetheless harmful to the environment