The Jamaican government is actively pursuing airport development projects across the island. These projects aim to improve capacity, safety, and efficiency in response to growing air travel demand.
Airport Expansion and Development
The total capital program for Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ)-operated airports, along with concession-operated Sangster International Airport (SIA) and Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA), amounts to US$152 million (J$25 billion) for fiscal year 2025/26. Furthermore, the program includes US$372 million (J$61 billion) for the period spanning from 2026 to 2029.
Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, spoke at the MBJ Airports virtual forum on Wednesday, July 2, stating,
Airports are major contributors and an engine of growth in the national economy, playing a very central role in the travel and tourism industry.
Vaz emphasized the capital-intensive nature of airports, noting that
The airports are by nature very capital-intensive facilities with ongoing expansion and other capital improvement programmes geared towards meeting traffic growth, industrial and regulatory compliance, improving efficiency, and maintaining high quality of customer service in the travel and tourism industry.
New Airport Projects
A proposed international airport is in the works for Little London, Westmoreland. Vaz noted that
The airport location is about 20 minutes away from the Negril seven-mile strip where most of the hotels are. The airport will also serve and expand tourism and economic activity in the western parishes of Jamaica.
The estimated project cost is US$460 million, which is expected to be implemented through a public-private partnership.
Aerodrome Upgrades and Relocations
The Lionel Densham Aerodrome in St. Elizabeth is nearing Public Investment Committee approval. Vaz stated,
The Lionel Densham Aerodrome… is at a far advanced stage to go to the Public Investment Committee for approval.
He added that
It is expected to provide airlift to south-central St. Elizabeth and surrounding areas, which is expected to drive tourism expansion and economic development in that part of the island.
Consultants are analyzing potential expansion or alternative sites for the Ken Jones Aerodrome in Portland to increase airlift capability for eastern Jamaica. Vaz said that
This is with a view of providing greater airlift capability for eastern Jamaica, in response to increased tourism development and other plans held by the Government.
Plans are also underway to relocate the Tinson Pen Aerodrome in Kingston to Norman Manley International Airport.
The Airports Authority has been engaged in a consultation process with Port Authority and the National Works Agency to develop a plan for the relocation of Tinson Pen to Norman Manley International Airport,
said Vaz. He added that consultants are conducting a study for possible alternative sites and that
We’re hoping to conclude these studies by September 2025.
Vaz concluded by saying
Even with what we are doing now, by the time we finish that, we would still be behind the eight ball in terms of projecting future airport traffic.
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