AAJ Says Business is good at NMIA

The Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) is assuring that business prospects at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) are good, despite the fact that no bids were received for divestment up to the deadline of December 30.

Speaking at a recent stakeholders reception, held at the airport, AAJ Chairman, Dennis Morrison, said that although the deadline was missed, he is of the view that the interested parties are regrouping and actively preparing to return to the bargaining table.

“There is great interest in the airport, as there should be, based on how well the facility is doing in terms of passenger satisfaction as well as a 30 per cent increase in revenues,” he noted.

The Chairman said he is of the view that as soon as the announcement of the airport’s profit for the year is made, and the prospective bidders  get a  full understanding of the magnitude of the turnaround in the finances of the facility, they will be reluctant to let the opportunity pass them.

“I believe that the prospects for the airport will only get stronger as we move ahead,” he said.

Acting President and CEO of  the AAJ,  Audley Deidrick, supported the view of the Chairman.

“The airport has had a very successful year. We are not deterred by the recent developments regarding the privatization process for the Norman Manley facility,” he said.

Mr. Deidrick assured the concessionaires that the AAJ would continue to keep them informed of the process as it unfolds, and acknowledged the role of the stakeholders in the improved fortunes of the airport.

“It is because of you, your support and the role you play that we have posted a significant increase in revenues in the last few months, over the previous year,” he said.

“Based on the economic turnaround, we have seen that passenger traffic is not just driven by our own activities but rather by the perception of the traveler, based on the economic conditions that exist and we’ve seen a significant upturn in passenger traffic at NMIA,” he noted.