Master plan being crafted for int’l airport in Negril
Development of several aerodromes still on the table, says Vaz
Published:Saturday | October 28, 2023 | 12:06 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
TRANSPORT MINISTER Daryl Vaz has indicated that plans are progressing for the development of several air transport facilities across Jamaica, including the Negril Aerodrome in Westmoreland and the Ian Fleming International Airport in St Mary.
Vaz made the declaration while speaking to journalists on Thursday following a familiarisation tour of the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James, along with representatives of Montego Bay Jamaica Airports Limited (MBJ), which manages the facility.
The tour was held to review logistics and operations at the airport, in light of negative reports relating to incoming and outgoing passenger traffic and the lengthy wait times experienced by travellers.
“In Negril, there is a consultant that has been brought on board to do a master plan for the expansion of the Negril Aerodrome to become an international airport. That also will have a huge impact in relation to taking some of the pressure off of the MBJ airport (Sangster International Airport),” said Vaz.
“Of course, you are aware of the Ian Fleming International Airport, which is expecting [commercial] flights to start in February 2024. According to how that goes, I am sure that with the increase in flights, which is twice weekly, and especially with the demand for that end of the island, in short order those flight schedules will increase significantly,” Vaz added confidently.
“Again, we’re looking at the overall plan for air transportation in and out of Jamaica as a priority.”
Development of the aerodromes would complement the operations at the Sangster International Airport, which is expected to receive a significant rush of passenger traffic during the winter tourist season starting December 15. It is anticipated that, as a result of that increase in travellers, the airport will welcome a record five million travellers for this year.
Projects currently ongoing in anticipation of the increased passenger traffic at Sangster International include expansion of the facility’s roadway and parking facilities for greater flow of vehicular traffic, as well as installation of self-service kiosks and biometric machines to reduce passengers’ wait times for their flights.
Vaz also noted that plans are still on the table for the use and development of the Vernamfield Aerodrome in Clarendon, which has Jamaica’ longest runway and was used as an airstrip during World War II.
Last January, the Airports Authority of Jamaica indicated that it wanted the long-abandoned Vernamfield airstrip to become the largest cargo hub in the Caribbean.
“Vernamfield is still very much on the agenda, as there is an enterprise team that has been formed to look at what actually will be the best use for Vernamfield. That is something you will hear about in short order as well, because that is part of the overall discussions we are having in relation to airports and the usage of airports in and across Jamaica,” said Vaz.