The Jamaica Air Traffic Controllers’ Association will celebrate International Air Traffic Controllers’ Day on Friday, October 20, 2006. The controllers have planned a week of activities from Sunday, October 15, 2006 to Friday, October 20, 2006 with the theme ‘ Nationbuilders: Unsung Heroes’. Activities during this week will seek to highlight the valuable contribution being made by air traffic controllers to the aviation industry and the technological advances in this profession.

Sixty-four Air Traffic controllers are employed by the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) and provide air traffic services at the Norman Manley and Sangster International airports, at the Tinson Pen aerodrome and at the Kingston Air Traffic Control Centre at Winchester Road in Kingston.

The week will begin on October 15 with a church service at the Swallowfield Chapel in Kingston. On Monday, October 16 the controllers will pay a special visit to the Rio Cobre Juvenile Centre in Spanish Town where they intend to spend a fun-filled day bringing cheer to some 140….boys who they have pledged to guide and support in various ways.

A panel discussion with the theme ‘The Jamaican Air Traffic Controllers : their role in national development’ will be the highlight on Tuesday, October 17 and will feature presentations by representatives of the Airports Operators, the Ministry of Tourism, the Jamaica Airlines Pilots’ Association and representatives from the JCAA. Moderator will be Lt. Col. Oscar Derby, Deputy Director General, Regulatory Affairs at the JCAA. Others members of the aviation community will attend.

The week’s activities will end on Friday, October 20 with a Long Service Awards Dinner at the Alhambra Inn in Kingston. The controllers will use this opportunity to recognize some 35 colleagues who have given yeoman service to both the Civil Aviation Department and the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority.