AAJ continues to work towards further development of Jamaica’s airports and airfields – Jamaica Information Services

The Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) will continue this year work vital to the long-term planning and development of the island’s international airport and airfield.

The entity will continue to oversee investments at the two largest airports, Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.

This is to ensure that targeted improvements in infrastructure and service delivery are achieved.

Due to strong international passenger throughput at both airports, passenger traffic is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels in the 2023/24 financial year and will continue to grow in the medium term.

In 2023/24, Ian Fleming International Airport (IFIA) welcomed its first flight from American Airlines, marking a major milestone.

Efforts to further strengthen scheduled flights and expand other services at the airport will continue during the current budget year.

Details of these and other AAJ planned activities are included in the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure of Jamaica’s Public Institutions for the fiscal year ending March 2025.

To facilitate the expansion of IFIA’s aviation activities, AAJ will also continue to take steps to establish a fixed-base operator and launch a concession for food, beverage and other retail services at the facility.

Domestic airports are vital to the national air transport network and will continue to be operated and maintained in a manner that ensures compliance with regulatory standards.

Therefore, we will continue to work throughout the year to renovate and improve the airport to meet these requirements.

At the same time, work will also be carried out on land acquisition and masterplan development as part of ongoing efforts to restore aviation operations at Furnham Field in Clarendon.

To further support the sustainable growth and development of the air transport industry and the Jamaican economy, AAJ will continue its efforts to promote the establishment of scholarship programs to assist in the training of pilots, aircraft mechanics and airport operations personnel.

The entity expects that the programme will provide training to 14 Jamaican youths during the year.

AAJ expects its planned activities to generate $10.5 million in profits, and staff numbers are expected to increase to 108 people.

The Jamaica Airports Authority was established under the Airports Authority Act 1974 to manage and operate Jamaica’s international and domestic airports.

It plays a key role in providing policy advice to governments related to air transport.

AAJ is committed to creating a modern, safe and financially viable airport network through ongoing long-term planning and development efforts.

Sangster International Airport and Norman Manley International Airport have separate concession agreements with MBJ Airports Ltd and PAC Kingston Airports Ltd respectively.

AAJ retains ownership of both airports and is responsible for overseeing and administering the concession agreements.