The Government of Barbados is moving to strengthen aviation safety and efficiency with plans to install advanced radar and airspace management technology at Grantley Adams International Airport.
Ian Gooding-Edghill, Minister of Tourism and International Transport, announced the initiative while contributing to debate on the Appropriation Bill 2026 in the Barbados House of Assembly.
The project includes the installation of a monopulse secondary surveillance radar system valued at approximately US$7.2 million. It forms part of a wider US$17 million aviation technology upgrade programme supported by the CAF Development Bank.
Chief Executive Officer of the airport, Hadley Bourne, explained that the new radar will allow air traffic controllers to more accurately monitor aircraft movements and maintain safe distances between planes, particularly during peak periods when congestion occurs in the airspace before landing.
The announcement comes shortly after operations at the airport were disrupted when air traffic controllers staged a sickout that forced the temporary closure of the island’s airspace for roughly seven and a half hours.
The shutdown led to several flight cancellations, delays and diversions. Flights operated by American Airlines were among those affected, while a JetBlue flight departing John F. Kennedy International Airport had to turn back. An aircraft operated by Air Canada also returned to Canada before Barbados’ airspace was reopened later that day.
Gooding-Edghill noted that the airport, which was built around 40 years ago, was not designed to accommodate the current volume of air traffic. The facility recently recorded 2.4 million passengers, the highest figure in its history.
The surge in arrivals has placed additional pressure on airport infrastructure, particularly during busy travel periods when multiple aircraft may be waiting for available parking spots on the apron.
To meet growing demand, the government is planning the first phase of a US$120 million expansion project aimed at increasing the airport’s capacity and improving passenger services.
Officials say further investments are also being made in equipment to enhance aircraft handling and streamline passenger processing as traffic through Barbados continues to rise.
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