Barbados’ thrust to become a more globally competitive aviation hub is about to take off, with the country now officially certified to perform line maintenance on a variety of aircraft operating in and out of Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA).
This comes with the formal issuance of an Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) Certificate to Aviation Technical Services (Barbados) Inc. (ATSB Inc.), marking the first entity of its kind to be established at GAIA.
The historic certification was conferred recently by the Barbados Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) during
a special ceremony at its Charnocks, Christ Church headquarters.
Director general of Civil Aviation, Tracy Ford-Bailey, said the AMO will open doors for job creation, specialised training opportunities and the emergence of a new generation of aviation professionals.
Addressing industry partners and representatives from ATSB Inc. and Barbados Aircraft and Aviation Services, she said the achievement reflected years of technical work, rigorous inspections and close collaboration between regulators and private sector stakeholders.
“This is the first full AMO certification conducted by the Barbados Civil Aviation Authority since its establishment, and the first [AMO] ever established at the Grantley Adams International Airport,” she said, noting that the accomplishment was worthy of celebration.
Ford-Bailey said that becoming an AMO was not a ceremonial designation but a weighty, ongoing responsibility.
“The authorisation to conduct line maintenance here in Barbados is significant. Beyond the issuance of the certificate, we have entrusted you with the responsibility to provide the highest levels of safety, quality and
regulatory compliance.”
The director general said the certification process required an intensive, multi-phase inspection involving the BCAA inspectorate and technical teams from ATSB Inc. and represented Barbados’ alignment with stringent international aviation safety and maintenance standards.
She pointed out that establishment of an AMO offers far-reaching benefits well beyond operational robustness for airlines.
“The creation of the AMO brings technical, economic and social benefits. It assures that international standards and national technical regulations will be upheld by your organisation. It demonstrates the confidence the authority has placed in your ability to perform line maintenance on a variety of aircraft operating in and out of Barbados,” she noted.
“It creates a pathway for the next aviation professionals – what we usually call the next step. It also provides an incentive for future investment and the development of commercial aviation enterprises here
in Barbados.”
Most importantly, she added, the certification “strengthens Barbados’ profile as a competitive and reliable location for aviation services, and enhances our standing within the regional aviation industry”.
The ceremony concluded with the formal signing and presentation of the AMO Certificate.
The BCAA said it viewed the certification as the first of several steps toward expanding Barbados’ aviation infrastructure, strengthening safety oversight and attracting new commercial opportunities in the sector. (CLM)
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