As part of its ongoing commitment to maintaining the integrity, safety and security of all its facilities to standards mandated by its National & International Regulators, the Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA) employed Waterblasting Technologies, Inc., of the USA, in early September to carry out rubber removal on the runway at Owen Roberts International Airport, using highly specialized equipment. Over time rubber marks from the tyres of aircraft gradually thicken on the touchdown zones of a runway reducing the surface friction in those areas. If left unchecked, this could eventually pose a hazard to aircraft on landing and takeoff. Annual friction testing on the runway, conducted by an independent overseas contractor, indicated a small section at the western end of the runway being at the level recommended for rubber removal from the surface.
