Bodden Town Primary School Students Tour Airport Terminal

The Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA), which operates the Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA) and the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (CKIA), was pleased to host a group of Theoline McCoy Primary School students at ORIA for an enriching and rewarding learning experience. The group consisted of 29 young students, ages 4 and 5 years old, who were accompanied by teachers and parents for the field trip. Reception Teacher Nadesha Edwards-Nyathi explained that Reception teachers strongly believe that learning outside of the classrooms can provide students with opportunities to learn in a natural environment and experience things first-hand. “During a particular lesson about travelling by air, the teachers realised that there were a few students who had never been to an airport,” she said. “Therefore, the teachers set aside a day for them to visit the Owen Roberts International Airport. The aim of the trip was to provide all students with a real-life experience of what to do when travelling.”

The group first assembled in the Airport’s conference room where they engaged in a classroom style talk and presentation by CIAA Chief Safety Management Officer Andrew McLaughlin who showed an animated and educational video on the passenger’s airport journey from take-off to touch down and on the future of airports and travel. CIAA team members from Safety, Airport Security, Marketing and Customer Service then led the students on a guided walking tour around the Airport terminal, starting in the check-in hall where airline personnel simulated checking in the students for a flight by stamping their “passports” and handing them a “boarding pass”. The students continued their exploratory visit through Airport Security, the departures hall, airside, Customs Border Control and baggage claim where they enjoyed a “behind the scenes” look at aviation and air travel.

“When we set out on our field trip to the Owen Roberts International Airport, we knew we were going on a tour. What we encountered was more than just a tour; it was an extraordinary experience that all students should have. From start to finish, the crew did a phenomenal job,” expressed Ms. Edwards-Nyathi. “The conference room video presentation was only the “tip of the iceberg”. It was amazing to get our passports stamped and our boarding passes!” She concluded by sharing that one student said about the tour, “This was the best day of my life!” and another student said, “This is so much fun!”

“It was a pleasure hosting these students. They were well-mannered and very polite. My regular training is directed at adults, so this was a very nice break,” said CIAA Chief Safety Management Officer Andrew McLaughlin. “While we are very busy at the Airport with our normal daily duties, nothing could be more important than taking time to assist with

the education of our youth. I give much credit to their teachers for broadening their understanding of the travel experience at such an early age.”