President of AAJ Cites Significance of Flights into IFIA by American Airlines

The introduction of service by American Airlines (AA) with twice-weekly flights into Ian Fleming International Airport (IFIA) in St. Mary represents a catalyst in the history, development and operation of the facility.

This was the message of President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), Audley Deidrick, while addressing a recent ceremony to welcome the inaugural flight of American Airlines into IFIA.

Mr. Deidrick said that the occasion marked much more than just the commencement of a new airline service.

“Contextually, American, the world’s largest airline, is now launching its service in the smallest of Jamaica’s three international airports. It also represents the first international commercial passenger service from the United States of America (USA) into IFIA,” he explained.

The President added that many things had to be put in place to facilitate the launch of the new service.

He thanked the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) for work done at short notice to implement the improvements in Air Navigation Services (ANS) and systems, more specifically Area Navigation (RNAV).

This system, he pointed out, was required by the AA to ensure consistent reliable service.

Mr. Deidrick said that in addition to the ANS improvements by the JCAA, the AAJ had to fast-track another round of facility improvements to meet regulatory and customer service requirements.

These include further expansion and modification to the arrival and departure facilities for passenger comfort and safety; building new office facilities for IFIA and airline staff; constructing a private passenger lounge; building new facilities for aircraft ground handling, baggage holding and canine services; constructing a new fire station to accommodate two Aircraft Firefighting and Rescue Vehicles and staff to meet Category Six firefighting capability as required for the aircraft used by AA for the IFIA service.

The President thanked the AAJ operations and engineering team as well as IFIA staff and other airport stakeholders who facilitated the improvements and exercised understanding during the period of discomfort while the work took place.