CONTRACT SIGNED AND GROUND BROKEN FOR EXPANSION AT NORMAN MANLEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

From left to right: Mr. Peter Jarvis, Civil/Structural Engineer, Minister Pickersgill and Mr. Dennis Morrison, Chairman, AAJ.

Transport Minister Robert Pickersgill on Thursday, March 9, signed contracts and broke ground for the expansion of the Norman Manley International Airport.

In providing a background to the works at the Norman Manley Airport, Minister Pickersgill noted that the main terminal was completed in 1961. ‘Since then’, he said, ‘there have been several additions and improvements to the terminal, to accommodate increased passenger traffic.’ ‘However the terminal buildings are now in urgent need of modernisation and expansion…there is insufficient space in sections of the building to provide satisfactory “levels of service” when benchmarked against internationally accepted standards set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’, the Minister said.

In view of the need to respond to these concerns, the Airports Authority of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Transport & Works, sought and received the approval of the Cabinet on October 6, 2003 to award a contract to Sypher Mueller: Llewellyn Davis et al, for the preparation of a new 20-year Master Plan and architectural/engineering designs for the modernization and expansion of the airport terminal building. This study was completed in October 2004.

Arising from the findings of the study, a three-phased (Phases 1A, 1B, & 2) implementation plan estimated to cost US$112M has been approved by Cabinet.
Phase 1A, commenced in 2004 and is scheduled to be completed in 2007 at an estimated cost of US$80M. This phase comprises:

Minister Pickersgill operaitng the forklift that broke ground for expansion works at the NMIA.

A New Departures building at the eastern end of the present terminal to accommodate expansion to the present departure concourse, security screening station with space to accommodate explosives detection equipment, out-going immigration, retail concessions and departure lounge. Additionally:

A new multi-level Passenger Finger (pier) that will enable the separation of arriving and departing passengers, as required by security regulators.
a. Four (4) Passenger Loading bridges at the new finger (pier).

b. Upgraded roadway system and expanded public car park.

c. Major rehabilitation of the existing Departures Concourse and related underground services infrastructure (Contract awarded and in progress).

d. Major rehabilitation and upgrading of the terminal arrivals area, including Immigration Hall, Customs Hall, Arrivals Arcade, Arrivals Duty Free Shops and Offices

e. Major rehabilitation and upgrading of the terminal arrivals area, including Immigration Hall, Customs Hall, Arrivals Arcade, Arrivals Duty Free Shops and Offices

f. Replacement and upgrading of the primary electrical infrastructure.

g. Replacement and upgrading of airport systems – public address, access control, flight information, baggage information, security control and other airport IT systems.

h. Cargo Warehouse Complex (The first phase of this complex, called the NMIA Cargo and Logistics Centre, was recently completed).

Work in Phase 1a will be substantially completed in time for the hosting of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 competition.

Phase 1B is scheduled for the period 2008 – 2012 and will cost approximately US$ 23M. Works under this phase will include:
a. Further upgrading of existing buildings
b. Construction of a new Arrivals area
c. Installation of new baggage handling facilities
d. Relocation of the General Aviation Centre, the fire station and other support facilities.
e. Airside works including the expansion of aircraft parking stands, and
f. Extension of the cargo and maintenance taxiway

Phase 2 which is the final phase of the project, is to commence in 2013 and end in 2022. This Phase will involve additional improvement and maintenance works to the terminal, landside, airfield and support areas of the facility at a cost of US$9M.