July 12, 2021

The Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) is making significant investments in improving aerodrome facilities across the country. Minister of Transport and Mining, Hon. Robert Montague, in making the disclosure, said that at the Lionel Densham Airport in St. Elizabeth “we are about to spend J$100 million to overlay the runway and to put in a little terminal building”. “That is our investment in opening up the South Coast tourism so that the Appleton Estate tour and all the boutique hotels will have a boon when we complete spending on that,” he said. In addition, he noted that J$10 million was spent recently to put in a pilot’s lounge. Painting was also done and work is ongoing to complete the fencing at the facility. Minister Montague was speaking at the recent handover of the police post at the Ian Fleming International Airport He informed that at Tinson Pen, some J$20 million has been invested. “We did some work on the runway, we put in a pilot’s lounge, we also also bought some new firefighting equipment at Tinson Pen and we are moving to complete the fencing along the train line,” Minister Montague said. In addition, the runway at the Negril aerodrome was overlaid at a cost of J$40 million. A fire hall was also built to facilitate comfortable accommodations for the airport’s fire personnel, along with a kitchen and dormitory. Meanwhile, Minister Montague said that discussions are “proceeding smoothly” regarding leasing of the Holland Estate aerodrome from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. This is to facilitate investment in the airstrip, thereby “opening up air transport… for the plans the Government has for the Holland area with regard to Agriculture”, the Minister pointed out. In addition to the aerodromes, improvements continue at the airports, with some J$550 million being spent at Norman Manley International “in doing some expansion work and also doing the seawall protection”. He indicated that corrections are being done to prevent a recurrence of an incident in 2009, where an aircraft overshot the runway and landed on the other side of the road. “We are correcting that and protecting the end of the runway… and also extending the runway… and doing some other improvements there,” the Minister said. In addition, he noted that approximately US$70 million is being spent at the Sangster International Airport on an ongoing project to improve and extend the runway and to expand the arrivals hall. Source: https://jis.gov.jm/aaj-making-significant-investments-in-improving-aerodromes/

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Clifford Blake, says that the new police post at the Ian Fleming International Airport (IFIA) in Boscobel, St. Mary, will bolster the ability of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to protect the country’s borders. He was speaking at the recent handover of the facility to the JCF by the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ). DCP Blake said that the JCF’s vigilance will continue at IFIA as “collectively, we are partners in the lawful protection, security and safety of our borders”. He said that partnerships are key to the country’s border protection and security, noting that the JCF enjoys a rich and fruitful relationship with the AAJ as well as the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) and Jamaica Customs Agency in this regard. “For decades, we’ve had partnerships, particularly with the Norman Manley and the Sangster International Airports and… now with the Ian Fleming International Airport,” DCP Blake said. “This partnership has resulted in the seizure of a significant amount of illegal firearms, drugs, ammunition and other contraband along with the arrest and conviction of several persons as individuals try desperately to breach our borders,” he pointed out. Meanwhile DCP Blake, who was representing the Police Commissioner, Major General Antony Anderson at the handover ceremony, expressed satisfaction with the new building, noting that it will provide a comfortable space within which the men and women of the force will be able to effectively execute their duties. “Let me, on behalf of the Commissioner, express our profound thanks for the facility in which our officers will operate as we pledge our utmost best, utmost commitment to the execution of the rule of law. We look forward to occupying the facility and delivering the best service possible,” DCP Blake said. The 2,500 square-foot facility, which was designed by the JCF’s Property Management and Maintenance Division, was built by the AAJ at a cost of $48 million. It will serve IFIA and the surrounding communities.