Edward Bodden Airfield

Edward Bodden Airfield
Edward Bodden Airfield
Characteristics
ICAO code	MWCL
IATA code	LYB
Coordinates	19 ° 40 ′ 0 ″  N , 80 ° 5 ′ 0 ″  W Coordinates: 19 ° 40 ′ 0 ″  N , 80 ° 5 ′ 0 ″  W
Height above MSL	1 m (3  ft )
Basic data
Terminals	1
Passengers	approx. 25,000 per year
Flight movements	approx. 4,160 per year
Start-and runway
10/28	762 m × 11 m grass with a paved median strip

The Edward Bodden Airfield ( ICAO code : MWCL , IATA code : LYB ; and Little Cayman Airport called) is the only airport of the Cayman Islands , a British overseas territory , belonging Island Little Cayman .

The airfield was created in 1962 in the southwest of the island on the initiative of heads of the Southern Cross Club. The only runway runs parallel to the south coast about 200 meters away.

Airport facilities and operations

Edward Bodden Airfield is a private, non-certified and uncontrolled airfield that pilots can fly to at their own risk according to visual flight rules . It is operated by Cayman Airways Express .

The total length of the only runway running approximately in an east-west direction is 998 meters, of which 762 meters are officially intended for use. A wind direction indicator is located north of the runway ; a runway lighting is not available. The apron adjoining the eastern end of the runway serves as a short-term parking space for loading and unloading aircraft, while another apron adjacent to the terminal is reserved for Cayman Airways aircraft . Other aircraft must park on the grass area north of the eastern end of the runway. There are no holding devices for parked aircraft.

The small terminal building is not only used for handling passengers and flights, but also houses a post office and the airport fire brigade , which has two fire engines . There are no facilities for customs and immigration clearance. Maintenance or refueling of aircraft is not possible.

Problems and expansion plans

Edward Bodden Airfield is privately owned. This leads to conflicts of use with the landowners, which can put the continued operation of the existing airport into question. In addition, the airfield does not meet international standards because, among other things, power line masts and a public, unregulated road are too close to the runway. Against this background, it is discussed whether the existing airfield should be expanded and brought into conformity with the rules for certification or a new airport about two kilometers northeast on government-owned land. A runway with a length of around 1200 meters is provided in all scenarios.

Airlines and Destinations

Cayman Airways Express operates regular flights from Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac to the airport several times a day with STOL- capable DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft . More than 4,000 flights with an estimated 25,000 passengers take place every year.

Web links

• Aeronautical chart for Edward Bodden Airfield on SkyVector.com
• LYB - Little Cayman [Edward Bodden Airfield], KY - Airport. Airport data. In: Great Circle Mapper. Karl L. Swartz(English). 

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b c} Cayman Islands Airports - Airport Master Plan 2032 . WSP Group, July 2014, 4.6 Traffic Projections - Sister Island Airports, p. 91–92 (English, Master Plan for Website. In: caymanairports.com [PDF; 5.9 MB ; accessed on December 3, 2019]).
2. ^ ^{A b} Aeronautical Information Circular: Edward Bodden Airfield - Little Cayman (MWCL) . Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman May 1, 2019, 5. Facilities, p. 2 (English, available online through caymanairports.com [PDF; 2.0 MB ; accessed on December 3, 2019]).
3. ↑ Our Beginnings ..... Cayman Brac Airways. In: caymanairways.com. Cayman Airways , accessed on December 3, 2019 (English, excerpt from the book Aviation in the Cayman Islands, a Brief History 1952–2011 ). 
4. ^ Aeronautical Information Circular: Edward Bodden Airfield - Little Cayman (MWCL) . Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman May 1, 2019, 2nd status, p. 1 (English, available online through caymanairports.com [PDF; 2.0 MB ; accessed on December 3, 2019]).
5. ^ Aeronautical Information Circular: Edward Bodden Airfield - Little Cayman (MWCL) . Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman May 1, 2019, 3. Availability, p. 2 (English, available online through caymanairports.com [PDF; 2.0 MB ; accessed on December 3, 2019]).
6. ↑ Cayman Island's Airports. In: Official Site of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands. Retrieved December 3, 2019 . 
7. ↑ ^{a b c} Cayman Islands Airports - Airport Master Plan 2032 . WSP Group, July 2014, 2.5.4 Existing Airstrip Facilities, p. 36 (English, Master Plan for Website. In: caymanairports.com [PDF; 5.9 MB ; accessed on December 3, 2019]).
8. ↑ Patrick Brendel: Little Cayman's airfield: Private property, public dilemma. In: Cayman Compass. Compass Media Cayman, June 24, 2013, accessed December 3, 2019.
9. ↑ Cayman Islands Airports - Airport Master Plan 2032 . WSP Group, July 2014, 2.5.1 Role and Strategic Importance, p. 34 (English, Master Plan for Website. In: caymanairports.com [PDF; 5.9 MB ; accessed on December 3, 2019]).
10. ↑ Cayman Islands Airports - Airport Master Plan 2032 . WSP Group, July 2014, 8.4 Description of Airport Development Scenarios, p. 203–212 (English, Master Plan for Website. In: caymanairports.com [PDF; 5.9 MB ; accessed on December 3, 2019]).
11. ↑ Our History. In: caymanairways.com. Cayman Airways , accessed December 3, 2019 .