Audley Deidrick, President of the Airport Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), revealed that the AAJ has experienced an increase in passenger numbers since the post-COVID-19 pandemic. He also emphasised the organisation’s commitment to corporate social responsibility.

The biannual airport forum is a key provision under the concession agreement between the AAJ and PAC Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL), which operates the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA). The forum serves as a platform for the airport operator to brief stakeholders on airport operations and share updates on current and future plans.

“Equally important, the forum provides stakeholders with the opportunity to air their issues and concerns and make recommendations for consideration on matters that could improve the airport’s operation and its service delivery to its users. So this is not just a forum to pass time, it’s a meaningful part of the concession administration process,” said Deidrick.

Milestones for AAJ and PACKAL

Deidrick highlighted 2024/25 as a significant year for both AAJ and PACKAL. The AAJ marked its 50th anniversary on September 1, 2024, while PACKAL celebrated its 5th anniversary on October 9.

“One celebrated as an adult while the other celebrated as a child. As an adult, the AAJ celebrated its achievements and contribution to Jamaica’s aviation travel and tourism industry over its 50 years of operation. In so doing, we recognised and granted awards to the major categories of stakeholders who contributed to the success of the AAJ over these years.

“PACKAL, on the other hand, celebrated as a child just five years old, exposed to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic just six months after birth, then went through a gruelling recovery period which lasted for approximately three years. PACKAL’s fifth anniversary, therefore, can be characterised as a celebration of survival over its formative years and is now ready for growth into the teenage years and ultimately adulthood,” he said.

Post-COVID Passenger Recovery

Following a gradual recovery in 2021 and 2022, Deidrick noted that 2023 marked a significant rebound in Jamaica’s air traffic, with 7 million passengers recorded compared to 6.5 million in 2019 — a 107 per cent recovery rate.

“MBJ Airports Limited, which operates the Sangster International Airport (SIA), posted traffic of 5.27 million passengers in 2023 versus 4.7 million for 2019, a whopping 11 per cent increase above the 2019 traffic level.

“While NMIA posted 1.7 million passengers for 2023 versus 1.8 million in 2019, hence a shortfall at that time of five per cent from the 2019 level. This remarkable traffic growth and recovery posted for 2023 was expected to continue into 2024 however, the year 2024 has seen a pause in traffic growth compared to 2023, with Jamaica’s traffic for 2024 rounding off at 6.8 million passengers versus 7 million for 2023, representing a slight downturn of two per cent,” he added.

Deidrick noted that while PACKAL maintained its traffic levels in 2024 compared to 2023, MBJ Airports Limited experienced a 3 per cent decline. He attributed this to several external factors, including negative travel advisories, U.S. elections, airline equipment shortages, and the impact of a hurricane in 2024.

The decline has continued into 2025, with data up to April showing a 3 per cent overall decrease compared to the same period in 2024. SIA saw a 7 per cent decline, while NMIA recorded a 10 per cent year-on-year increase.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Efforts

Deidrick also emphasised the AAJ’s commitment to corporate social responsibility as a public body.

“The AAJ continue to play its role as a grateful and responsible corporate citizen in the airport environment to support the thrust of the airports and the wider travel and tourism industry. As such as part of its initiatives to stimulate the growth of general aviation in Jamaica, the AAJ launched its aviation scholarship program in 2023 to provide pilot training, aircraft maintenance and airport management,” he said.

The scholarship program will award 14 scholarships annually to applicants across Jamaica, with an estimated annual cost of $34 million.