Pickersgill Credits Expansion of Airline Service to Jamaica to Ongoing Airport Upgrading

Transport and Works Minister Bobby Pickersgill has credited the spike in the interests of carriers to expand or begin service to Jamaica, to the ongoing programme of expansion and upgrading of the island’s two international airports.
Minister Pickersgill, who was making his contribution to the 2005/06 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House yesterday, said the improvement works now in progress would result in the transformation of the facilities and provide a meaningful first impression for visitors to the island.
He noted that the recent expansion of the US Airways daily flights out of the Norman Manley International Airport was another signal of confidence by investors in the opportunities for growth in the country’s business and tourism sectors.
Giving an update on improvement works at Norman Manley, Mr. Pickersgill informed that work drawings and tender packages were now complete in time for the construction phase in September of this year.
Minister Pickersgill said the initial aspect of the development was to coincide with the hosting of World Cup Cricket in 2007. Phase 1A of the project will result in the construction of a new three-level 10,000 square metres departure concourse and the redevelopment of the existing arrivals/departure pier to provide a two level structure to accommodate the separation of arriving and departing passengers.
In the meantime, he said, the government was proceeding with the privatization of the facility to coincide with the capital development programme, which is being undertaken there.
Cabinet recently approved the 20-year three-phased capital development programme for the airport valued at US$127.7 million.
Meanwhile, the Transport Minister said that despite Hurricane Ivan, the island was able to record 4,789,615 passengers through the international airports for the year.