George Town, Grand Cayman, (May 2012) – The Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI) set precedent with the recent success of hosting the first International Air Transport Association (IATA) Aviation Law for Managers course in the Cayman Islands. This was a condensed five-day course that took place at the UCCI campus on the 29 April – 3 May. The course provides learning for air transport industry personnel to illustrate ‘why we do what we do’. With safety as the main focus, this course enlightens participants as to the international conventions and treaties that underpin the industry, and gives insight of the international legislative and regulatory framework upon which the industry is predicated.

These IATA courses are typically offered overseas in various cities such as Miami, Montreal, Geneva, Singapore etc. and can become quite expensive for attendees. The CAACI took the initiative to offer this course locally by partnering with UCCI and IATA, recognizing the importance of such training for the local aviation industry personnel.   Industry professionals from the CAACI, the Cayman Islands Airports Authority, Cayman Airways, Air Agencies and a private corporate pilot all took advantage of this unique opportunity to attend this course, filling the maximum capacity of 20.

The course was instructed by Professor Allan Rossmore who has over 30 years’ experience in aviation with qualifications as an aviation lawyer, instructor pilot and academia at prestigious aviation universities in the USA such as Embry-Riddell Aeronautical University.

Director-General P. H. Richard Smith commented, “This is a significant breakthrough in professional development opportunities for local aviation personnel and we are grateful to IATA for agreeing to offer this course in the Cayman Islands.” He continued, “It is also very fitting that this first course was held at the UCCI, being the only local educational institution to already offer specific aviation learning.  Our goal is to pursue the offering of professional development training for aviation personnel locally to enhance safety and efficiency of our local aviation industry”.

IATA is an international industry trade group of airlines headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is also headquartered, with executive offices located in Geneva, Switzerland.  IATA’s mission is to represent, lead, and serve the airline industry. IATA represents some 240 airlines comprising 84% of scheduled international air traffic.

The CAACI also partners with UCCI to offer the “Intro to Air Transport Management” course during the summer, which provides a broad overview of the basic components of the air transport industry (regulatory, operations (airport and airline), marketing and commercial considerations. The course is offered as an elective for students who attend UCCI and is also attended by local aviation industry staff.

For more information on future courses being offered, please email us at:

[email protected]

The Civil Aviation Authority is the statutory body responsible for aviation regulatory (technical/safety and economic) oversight throughout the Cayman Islands and for aircraft registered in the Cayman Islands. The organization is headed by P.H. Richard Smith, the Director-General and is comprised of four regulatory divisions:- the Air Safety Regulation division headed by Director David Biehn: – the Air Navigation Services Regulation division headed by Director Alastair Robertson; the Economic Regulation & Administration division headed by Director Nicoela McCoy; and the Finance & Compliance division headed by Director Jane Panton.