Sangster International Airport (SIA) in Montego Bay, St James, officially launched its runway extension project last Thursday, May 2, 2024.

The Runway Extension and Associated Works project, which will cost US$70 million, significantly advances aviation capabilities and safety standards to accommodate more flights at the country’s busiest airport.

“This runway extension represents a crucial step forward in enhancing our country’s connectivity and positioning Jamaica as a regional aviation hub,” Transport Minister Daryl Vaz, in his speech delivered by Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) Chairman Mark Hart, said.

With the extension of the runway by 408 metres, the project will establish a Runway End Safety Area at both ends of the stretch, ensuring full compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization standards.

The project will also include the relocation of the western end runway lights and air navigation equipment, the installation of additional runway lights, new approach lights, signs and markings. It will also include an Instrument Landing System.

Additionally, the airside works involves widening the Taxiway Echo and installing a Jet Blast Defector along the perimeter fence to improve the efficiency and safety of the airport’s operations.

Kent Avenue, a section blocked off to vehicular traffic, was realigned with significant shoreline protection works at the western end to safeguard the airport’s coastal infrastructure against storm surges. Lands required for the project have also been acquired and transferred, bridges built across two drains and public utilities, including water mains and electrical poles, were relocated and upgraded.

CEO of MBJ Airports Limited, Shane Munroe described the improvements as “a strategic vision of enhancing operational efficiencies and ensuring compliance with the highest international standards set forth by the International Civil Aviation Organization.”

He added that compliance with these standards represented a collective commitment to safety at the airport and aviation. 

for his part, president of AAJ, Audley Deidrick shared that an additional US$100 million will be spent on the SIA by MBJ. He advised that “several more projects are now in progress (and) plans are being crafted for bigger projects ahead to meet the growing demand of Jamaica’s travel and tourism industry.”

Since MBJ took over the concession in 2003, it has invested over US$396 million in capital projects.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang explained that the extension of the runway has now positioned the SIA as one of the finest in the Caribbean “not only in service”.

“…It has the capacity to absorb the long flights and keep Montego Bay as the centre of tourism activity in Jamaica and one of the primary destinations in the Caribbean region.,” he said.

SIA facilitates more than 85 per cent of tourists arriving on the Jamaica. In 2023, the airport served over 5.2 million passengers.