Minister Vaz Pleased With Sangster International Airport’s Upgrading and Modernisation

Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, says he is pleased with the upgrading and modernisation of the Sangster International Airport (SIA) in Montego Bay, St. James.

A master plan airport expansion programme is being undertaken at the facility at a cost of approximately US$140 million.

The engagement includes runway extension and civil infrastructure works as well as expansion and redevelopment of SIA’s retail programme.

Addressing MBJ Airport Limited’s 2023 Airport Forum at the facility on July 28, Mr. Vaz said the new and existing investments in the airport will further cement SIA as the leading gateway of choice to the island.

He said SIA continues to record remarkable growth in post-COVID-19 passenger arrivals, noting that the airport is poised for further increases throughout the summer season.

According to the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), SIA is projected to welcome five million passengers at the end of 2023 for the first time in the country’s history.

This will elevate SIA from the category of a small airport to a medium-sized facility, representing a significant achievement for Jamaica.

“The Sangster International Airport continues to chart a path of being the gateway of choice. We welcome the increase as we continue the work to recover stronger,” the Minister said.

Mr. Vaz acknowledged, however, that the surge in passenger numbers has presented a new set of challenges for the airport.

He said while pleased with ongoing efforts to enhance the facility’s physical infrastructure and streamline the logistical aspects of passenger movement, there is need for immediate short-term fixes to address the current traffic levels while simultaneously focusing on the broader long-term solutions.

The Minister emphasised that the challenges of improving the passenger experience cannot be tackled in isolation.

“The fact is that [for] visitors coming here, the airport is their first contact [and] their first impression, and when they leave, it’s their last contact and last impression. Therefore, we have to have something in place as a short-term fix to deal with the level of traffic that is passing through our airports to make sure that it is smoother than it is, and it can’t be done in isolation,” he noted.

Minister Vaz also emphasised the aviation industry’s significance, highlighting its role as the lifeblood of international travel and the driving force behind Jamaica’s economic development.

The MBJ Airports Limited 2023 Airport Forum was held to share updates on the current and future development of the Sangster International Airport, which is operated by the entity.