Category: Airports

Norman Manley International Airport, formerly known as Palisadoes Airport, is a major international airport serving Kingston, Jamaica. Located approximately 19 km (12 mi) south of New Kingston, it’s the country’s second busiest airport after Sangster International Airport. In 2021, it recorded 830,500 arriving passengers and operates over 130 international flights weekly. The airport is named in honor of Jamaican statesman Norman Manley and serves as a hub for Caribbean Airlines. Situated on the Palisadoes tombolo, it offers stunning views of both Kingston city and the Caribbean Sea.

Jamaica’s aviation history dates back to 1911, with the island’s first recorded flight. In 1930, the first commercial flight, operated by Pan American Airways, landed in Kingston Harbour. The growth of aviation led to the establishment of the Civil Aviation Department in 1947 and the Kingston Air Traffic Control Centre in 1948. Palisadoes Airport, now Norman Manley International, was established in the same year. Notably, the airport was featured in the first James Bond film, “Dr. No,” in 1962.

In terms of renovations, the airport has seen significant improvements, including the expansion of the departure concourse and other infrastructure enhancements. These upgrades, part of a 20-year masterplan, have increased the Norman Manley International Airport’s capacity and improved passenger services. The European Investment Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank have provided funding for these projects, with the first phase completed in 2007. By 2022, the airport will have undergone a virtual reconstruction, ensuring it can meet projected air and passenger traffic demands up to 2023.

Sangster International Airport, located just 3 miles east of Montego Bay, Jamaica, is a crucial international gateway capable of handling nine million passengers annually. It’s the primary airport for tourists visiting the north coast of Jamaica and bears the name of former Jamaican Prime Minister Sir Donald Sangster. Managed by MBJ Airports Limited, with a major stake held by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico and minority ownership by Vantage Airport Group, the airport was privatized in 2003.

The airport’s history dates back to 1936 when the site was identified for construction. Originally named Montego Bay Airport, the runway was built in 1940, with the airport’s completion in 1947. Pan American Airways was the first international airline to fly into Montego Bay Airport. Over the years, the facility underwent numerous upgrades and expansions, including a shift of the terminal building from the northern side to the southern side of the runway.

Efforts to expand and modernize the airport have been ongoing, with the opening of a new eastern concourse in 2005. Plans for further expansion, including a main runway extension, were in progress but halted in 2012 due to economic conditions. However, renovations and expansion projects continued, including the relocation of the immigration hall, duty-free mall, customs hall, arrivals lobby, and transportation center. Sangster International Airport has received recognition, winning the “Caribbean’s Leading Airport” award from the World Travel Awards multiple times.

Recent projects include renovations in the check-in area, resurfacing of aprons, taxiways, and the runway, as well as enhancements to the airport’s retail offerings. Sangster International Airport continues to evolve to meet the growing demand of passengers and new routes.

Ian Fleming International Airport (IFIA), formerly known as Boscobel Aerodrome, is situated in Boscobel, Saint Mary Parish, Jamaica, just 10 km east of Ocho Rios in the northern part of the island. This airport, named after Ian Fleming, the renowned author of the James Bond novels, including the famous Goldeneye estate in St. Mary parish, serves as a connection hub for the United States and other Caribbean islands.

Historically, Boscobel Aerodrome was a relatively small facility, accommodating around 20,000 passengers annually and offering scheduled passenger services through local carriers such as Air Jamaica Express, Jamaica Air Service, Jamaica Air Shuttle, and Trans Jamaican Airlines, utilizing prop and turboprop aircraft like the Beechcraft 99 and Dornier 228.

In 2009, significant renovations and construction work began at the airport. On January 12, 2011, the newly improved airport was officially opened by Prime Minister Bruce Golding. The primary goal of the airport was to cater to small jets, handle international arrivals, and attract high-end tourism to Jamaica’s north coast, including Ocho Rios, Oracabessa, and Port Antonio.

Ian Fleming International Airport welcomed its first international flight in May 2010, eight months before its official opening, with singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett being the first international passenger. Despite some controversy over the renaming of the airport, Prime Minister Golding emphasized the significant impact Ian Fleming had on Jamaica’s global image as the author of the James Bond novels. The airport’s facilities include a modern terminal, customs and immigration services, passenger amenities, and the capability to handle aircraft like the Cessna Citation Excel.

In March 2022, American Airlines announced plans to initiate non-stop flights from Miami to Ian Fleming International Airport, marking the first flights to the airport by a US airline. However, this route has been postponed until further notice due to additional air navigation aids requested by American Airlines.