Additional US$70m Earmarked for Sangster Airport Modernisation
By: , April 3, 2023
Photo: Michael Sloley
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (second left), is briefed on the progress of the Sangster International Airport runway extension project by Chief Executive Officer of MBJ Airports Limited, Shane Munroe (right), during a tour of the facility in Montego Bay, St. James, on Saturday (April 1). Also listening are Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang (second right), and Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte.
Photo: Michael Sloley
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (second left), outlines several major projects programmed for the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St. James, during a tour of the facility on Saturday (April 1), to observe the progress of the runway extension project. Looking on are (from left): Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte; Government Senator, Charles Sinclair; Chief Executive Officer, MBJ Airports Limited, Shane Munroe; and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang.
Photo: Michael Sloley
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (centre), observes an aircraft passing overhead while touring the runway extension project site at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St. James, on Saturday (April 1). Also observing are (from left): St James Central Member of Parliament, Heroy Clarke; Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte; Government Senator, Charles Sinclair; and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang.The Full Story
Another US$70 million of investment has been earmarked for upgrading and modernisation of the Sangster International Airport (SIA) in Montego Bay, St. James.
This is in addition to US$70 million being invested by the facility’s operators, MBJ Airports Limited.
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the announcement after touring the ongoing runway extension and civil infrastructure project, being undertaken at the airport at a cost of US$70 million, on Saturday (April 1).
Mr. Holness told journalists that the airport’s current physical infrastructure and mechanisms are “outdated”.
As such, he said this “great investment” in the airport is intended to update the facilities and improve the capacity of its services for locals and foreigners.
Approximately 70 per cent of visitors to Jamaica come through the Sangster Airport.
Prime Minister Holness said renditions for the airport’s upgrade and design have already been made, noting that they depict a “world class” feel.
“This is what I would call a strategic nation building investment. This US$140 million in total will transform the experience here. It will make Jamaica more attractive and make Jamaica more competitive with other countries in the region, which have also invested heavily in improving their infrastructure,” he said.
“Jamaicans will also see the benefits, because this [airport] is a major doorway into Jamaica. Right now, we are seeing significant bottlenecks in receiving passengers, because there are some unique issues to do with the narrow windows for travel time,” the Prime Minister added.
Mr. Holness further indicated that these new and existing investments in the airport, bode well for Jamaica’s tourism product.
He said Jamaica will be able to open up to other destinations, thereby increasing the prospect of more visitors and foreign earnings for the local economy.
“This increases our revenues, which means the Government can spend more on the things that matter to you, such as education, health, the road in your community and your water supply,” Mr. Holness pointed out.
He said additional investments are being made in advancing the technology platform for the immigration process where, soon, it will be a paperless system for a seamless experience, travelling through the airport.
“Jamaica has a very well-recognised, strong and robust brand, and we need to take advantage of it for economic and social development, and part of that strategy is to improve the infrastructure,” Prime Minister Holness maintained.
The Sangster International Airport runway extension project is slated for completion during the second quarter of 2023.
The work entails extending the strip from 2,662 to 3,060 metres.