Cayman Grants Use of Airport for Aid to Jamaica

On the request of the Government of Jamaica, Her Excellency the Governor Mrs Jane Owen has granted permission for the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) to use the Owen Roberts International Airport as its forward operating base, following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica.

This arrangement will help the JDF to map the damages as well as in the coordination and delivery of critical relief supplies for the emergency response to Jamaica. It will allow the JDF to overfly, land and refuel in Grand Cayman, starting today.  

In keeping with this, permission has also been granted for the United States to also use Cayman as a forward operating base for four chinooks and six black hawk helicopters to support the Jamaica humanitarian relief efforts. 

By granting access to the Airport for humanitarian operations, Cayman is reaffirming its commitment to regional cooperation and shared resilience. Hazard Management Cayman Islands in partnership with relevant agencies are coordinating the national relief response.