Durrant Pate/Contributor

As Jamaica continues to build out its air connectivity, the island is to sign an Air Services Agreement with Curaçao later this year.

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz made the announcement on Tuesday while delivering his 2026/27 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives, emphasising that the move reflects a continuation of Jamaica’s push to further strengthen its regional connectivity and opportunity.

Providing an update on the air transport sector, Minister Vaz had high praise for Jamaica’s aviation sector, which continues to demonstrate resilience in the face of significant external shocks and the recent passage of Hurricane Melissa.

He singled out the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), which maintains regulatory oversight and operational continuity across its network of international gateways, such as the Sangster International Airport, Norman Manley International Airport, Ian Fleming International Airport and several domestic aerodromes.

Mid-year recovery 

Despite sluggish growth in early 2025, improved travel advisories and increased events supported a mid-year recovery, which is evidence of the local aviation sector’s resilience and adaptability. 

This recovery, the Transport Minister remarked, was further strengthened by strategic initiatives, including a pending domestic air service incentive programme, sustained policy leadership, and investment planning by the AAJ.

In late 2025, the sector’s resilience was, however, severely tested by Hurricane Melissa, which disrupted aviation traffic and infrastructure, most notably at the Sangster International Airport, “where tourism dependency led to passenger declines to 4.5 million in 2025 and a projected 4.2 in 2026, while Norman Manley rebounded quickly, maintaining growth from 1.8 to 1.9 million passengers,” explained Minister Vaz.

Between October 29 and December 2, 2025, the AAJ successfully handled 3,046 flights across all aerodromes, including 935 relief flights at the Sangster International Airport, reflecting a 26 per cent increase.

The Minister commended the concessionaires of Jamaica’s two primary international airports and the AAJ for restoring all major airports within 24 to 48 hours, domestic aerodromes within 36 hours, and air navigation services within 24 hours, which exceeded the 72-hour normal recovery target, while maintaining zero aviation accidents.