Constant and vigilant assessment of all existing and proposed structures within and outside an airport boundary is critical to the safe and efficient use of an aerodrome. It is as important as the physical requirements of runways and their associated strips.

When buildings encroach on the airspace needed for aircraft operations, a conflict of interest arises between property owners and airport operators. If these differences cannot be resolved, it may be necessary for the national authority to establish restrictions limiting operations in the interest of safety.

If tall structures are erected in or near areas otherwise suitable for instrument approach procedures, such structures may limit the desired flexibility for radar vectoring, initial approaches and the facility for an aircraft to turn en route during the departure climb or missed approach.

Control of obstacles in the vicinity of airports is therefore a matter of interest and concern to national government, local communities, property owners and airport authorities. The Jamaican government, through the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority has the authority to establish criteria for the limitation of obstacles and to provide guidelines to those directly concerned with plans to erect tall structures.

With the advent of the cellular telephone industry in Jamaica there is an ever increasing demand for construction of antennae towers. Construction proposals for these towers must be evaluated and monitored constantly to allow for the safe and efficient use of aerodromes and navigable airspace. Read more here