KINGSTON, Jamaica — Three highly-respected Jamaican aviation veterans were recognised for their contributions to the local air transportation industry, at an International Civil Aviation Day (ICAD) banquet and awards ceremony last Saturday at the AC Marriott, New Kingson.

The event was hosted by the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA), the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) and the Aeronautical Telecommunications Limited (AEROTEL).

The three recipients of the Aviation Trailblazer Award were: former Air Jamaica Chief Operating Officer Captain Lloyd Tai; pioneer radar specialist Randolph Jones; and veteran aviator Major Dudley Beek.

A wide selection of Jamaica’s aviation community was present for the special occasion, which also marked the 75th anniversary of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the international body responsible for the development, promotion and harmonisation of the Standards & Recommended Practices for the safe, efficient and sustainable operation and development of the global air transport industry.

Minister of Transport and Mining, Robert Montague, was the event’s keynote speaker. The JCAA was represented during the proceedings by Deputy Director-General of Regulatory Affairs, Rohan Campbell.

The Minister told the guests that as a result of the work of the local aviation industry, the world has been celebrating Jamaica’s performance, as evidenced by the nomination of JCAA Director-General Nari Williams Singh as the president of the recent 40th Assembly of the ICAO.

Balford Henry