(CNS): A major expansion of the parking area at Owen Roberts International Airport for private jets is now officially out to tender. The Cayman Islands Airports Authority is inviting bids through the procurement office for a multi‑million‑dollar project that will significantly increase apron space for commercial and traffic at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT).
The RFP, issued on 15 October, seeks contractors to build a new commercial apron, a dedicated overflow apron for private jets, and an additional Code E taxiway — all funded by the public purse.
According to the procurement documents, the CIAA wants to extend the existing commercial apron to add three new Code C aircraft stands, construct a general aviation overflow apron with two concrete pads, and build a new taxiway to ease congestion and provide redundancy if the current Code E route is closed for maintenance.
The authority says rising tourism and seasonal spikes in private jet arrivals have pushed apron capacity to its limits, creating “apron congestion, inefficient aircraft turnaround [and] operational delays”. The RFP states, “Existing parking capacity may become constrained during periods of high aircraft movements.”
This large project involves more than 54,000 cubic metres of excavation, more than 115,000 cubic metres of rock fill, nearly 25,000 tonnes of asphalt, extensive drainage works, new airfield lighting, and a full suite of utilities and access roads.
Construction is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2027, with substantial completion targeted for March 2028. The airport will remain open throughout, requiring contractors to work around active aircraft operations, including night‑time closures for the taxiway tie‑in.
While the CIAA frames the project as essential infrastructure to support growth, the tender makes no mention of cost recovery from private jet operators, meaning that Cayman’s public purse will shoulder the expense of expanding parking for some of the wealthiest visitors to the islands.
The GAT caters to ultra‑high‑net‑worth travellers, corporate jets and seasonal luxury traffic. Yet the RFP confirms that all construction, utilities and associated works will be funded through government capital spending.
The authority is seeking to modernise ORIA without embarking on another controversial terminal expansion. However, apron capacity has become a pressure point, as private jet traffic continues to rise, almost doubling over the last decade.
The previous administration originally planned to spend a whopping CI$42 million to rebuild the General Aviation Terminal for these multi-millionaire and business travellers. However, the NCFC has pulled back and is now seeking a public-private partnership for the apron project instead, which is currently going through the procurement process.
Bids on this project are due by 27 January 2027, and the contract is expected to be awarded in March.