Phase 2 of Development of Sangster Airport to Begin 2007

Transport and Works Minister, Robert Pickersgill has indicated that the design work for phase two of the Sangster International Airport’s capital development is well advanced for work to begin in 2007.
Mr. Pickersgill said this leg of the development would see major expansion and upgrade of the existing terminal facilities at the airport. He said work on phase 1B of the programme is scheduled for completion in December of this year, which should see a new 12-gate airside concourse in place.
The Minister, who was making his contribution to the 2005/06 Sectoral Debate, yesterday (June 14), announced that come July, six new jet bridges would be opened at the southern terminal and all operations located to that side of the airport.
The Sangster International Airport is ranked as the second busiest airport in the Caribbean in terms of passenger traffic, according to a 2004 Airport Council International Traffic Report.
Private operators, MBJ Airports Limited is now carrying out the three-phased major expansion programme at the facility, which was started by the Airports Authority of Jamaica. The Authority completed a significant segment of Phase 1A of the development programme at a cost of US$21 million prior to the handover in 2003.
Under the concession agreement, MBJ Limited is continuing the expansion and upgrading works at the airport, which is to be completed at a cost of approximately US$200 million.
In the meantime, work is also underway at the Negril Aerodrome to rehabilitate and improve the level of service and operational service on the airside, with the extension of the existing 660-metre runway to create a 150-metre safety area. Work is approximately 90 per cent complete, and full completion is expected this month.