Over 4 Million Airline Passengers Last Year

Despite the setback caused by Hurricane Ivan last winter season, a record 4,789,615 passengers travelled through the nation’s two international airports last year.
According to a report tabled in the House of Representatives on June 14 by Transport and Works Minister, Robert Pickersgill, passenger arrivals at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) increased by 8.2 per cent last year over 2003, while the Sangster International Airport (SIA) showed a 7.1 per cent growth.
The report noted that while Hurricane Ivan affected travelling, within 48 hours of the hurricane’s passage, both international airports were reopened to a full schedule of commercial, and relief flights. Year to date passenger volume continues to reflect the pre-hurricane growth trend, which augurs well for the country. The recent expansion of the US Airways’ service, with daily flights out of NMIA, is also considered a signal of confidence for further growth in the business and tourism markets, the report said. The document further noted, that in two years, the international airports would be unveiled as truly first-class international gateways to the world, and will significantly augment the country’s tourism product and further enhance the identity and meaning associated with ‘Brand Jamaica’.
Meanwhile, the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) received its Air Worthiness Certificate last year, having met the international standards and recommended practices of the Convention on International Civil Aviation and survived the pressures of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The JCAA in July 2004 was served notice by the FAA, of its intention to conduct an audit of Jamaica’s safety oversight capability.