NEW CONCOURSE AT SANGSTER AIRPORT OPENED

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson cuts the ribbon signifying the opening of the new concourse building at the Sangster Airport. Looking on from left to right are Minister Robert Pickersgill, Mr. Franco Montalbetti, chairman of MBJ Airports Ltd. and Minister of Tourism Aloun Assamba.

Visitors to the island will now have a brand new concourse to welcome them at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay as the new facility was opened on December 16, 2005.

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson cut the ribbon signifying the ceremonial opening of the concourse in the presence of Minister of Transport and Works, Robert Pickersgill, Minister of Tourism, Aloun Ndombet Assamba, Most Rev. Charles Dufour, Roman Catholic Bishop of Montego Bay, Mr. Jorge Sales, CEO, MBJ Airports Ltd., Mr. Earl Richards, Head of the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) and various other dignitaries who were in attendance.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister P.J Patterson said, “I feel a great sense of pride and achievement to be able to officially open this new Concourse, which makes a giant step in lifting Jamaica’s aviation sector to world-class, state-of-the-art standards…we are again celebrating the achievement of another milestone, ahead of schedule and within budget.”

For his part, Minister Robert Pickersgill asserted that “The development of the Sangster airport which had commenced before MBJ took over operations, and, which have proceeded well and in accordance with relevant agreement, is a vital component underpinning our expanding tourist industry and the thrust for sustained growth in the sector.”
“The continuing development of our airports is an essential ingredient in the process of transforming the Jamaican economy into a modern economy, capable of holding its own in the international marketplace,” he added.

Special features of this new Concourse include first world facilities, boarding gates, shopping areas and expanded capacity. The Concourse has been put into operation six weeks ahead of the schedule and will be in full operation to meet this year’s winter peak season. In keeping with the Concession Agreement, the investors have designed and built the facilities to meet international aviation standards with particular emphasis placed on security arrangements which require that there be no commingling of arriving and departing passengers.

In making the point that the progress at the Sangster airport demonstrated a level of confidence by investors in Jamaica, Prime Minister Patterson said that the developments at the airport and the expansion programme at Norman Manley Airport represent the acceleration of the modernisation programme for the island’s aviation sector. Against that background he highlighted the fact that he had initiated negotiations at the highest level with countries in South America, including Brazil and Chile for air services agreements that will facilitate the expansion of air traffic and pave the way for Montego Bay’s Logistics Centre. Noting that such agreements should be signed soon, he said that negotiations would also be pursued with other countries such as Mexico and Spain. He also explained that an agreement was also reached with the United Kingdom for the revision and updating of the Air Service Agreement between Jamaica and the UK and that 2006 would see the arrival of Virgin Airways as a new carrier to Jamaica. He said that Montego Bay would be the main gateway into the island for World Cup Cricket 2007.

Turning to the future, the PM said, “I take it as another vote of confidence that the developers will begin construction of Phase 2 of the development programme early in the New Year – by mid January well ahead of the anticipated start date in December 2006 – almost a year in advance.” He noted that that particular phase is to be completed by July, 2008 and that under that phase, renovation and expansion of the old western concourse that will include new customs hall and baggage claim area will be done.

For the immediate period, emergency measures are being undertaken with respect to immigration and customs, to ensure that peak traffic at both major airports can be handled during the peak holiday period. These arrangements include an expanded number of immigration booths, both for inbound and outbound traffic and roving officers to assist passengers.