Negotiations at Final Stage to Reintroduce Domestic Flights

Minister of Transport and Mining, Hon. Robert Montague, says the Government is in the final stages of negotiation with two companies, to facilitate the reintroduction of domestic flights within Jamaica.

“At least one will start before Reggae Sumfest [2019] because we are trying to fit it within the product, so… we need to give our people options,” he said.

Mr. Montague was addressing aviation stakeholders at a forum held at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St. James, on May 17.

He also informed that the Government is moving ahead to re-establish General Aviation in the country.

The Minister explained that there were over 52 local airstrips in Jamaica, but that number has now decreased to just eight in recent years.

Mr. Montague noted that the Government has recognized the urgency to bolster local aviation, given the new opportunities that the industry is introducing.

“Fast forward to today, we now have hundreds of overseas applications applying for licenses to grow cannabis. So we believe that has created a space for us to move into improving the existing airstrips, which this [Sangster International Airport] is one, and also to improve the others that serve locally,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Minister Montague officially opened the recently renovated check-in terminal at the Sangster International Airport. The facility now boast a refurbished immigration hall and ticketing concourse.

Additional expansion of the Airport is expected to be undertaken, to meet the growing number of arrivals and departures.