PAC Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL) has kicked off two comprehensive renovation projects at Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA), marking the next phase of the airport operator’s J$25.8 billion (US$161 million) transformation programme. 

The J$1.2 billion (US$8 million) Customs Hall and Arrivals area renovation and the J$320 million (US$2 million) Link Corridor upgrade will modernise both the arrivals and departures areas, and enhance the passenger experience.

The Customs Hall and Arrivals Area project, which will take approximately 24 months to complete, will deliver improved lighting, enhanced aesthetics, upgraded flooring, expanded seating areas, a covered curb-side pick-up zone, and an improved bar and restaurant facility.

Meanwhile, the 16-month Link Corridor (Blue Chair corridor) renovation will transform the shopping experience with four new retail locations, including two food and beverage outlets, one duty-free shop, and one retail store, alongside improvements to lighting, flooring, and seating areas. 

This is the first phase of a comprehensive departures overhaul, which will see the commercial space with the food outlets and commercial shops renovated in phase two.

Noting that the renovation represents a critical component of PACKAL’s multi-billion-dollar investment programme, Sitara English-Byfield, Chief Executive Officer of PACKAL stated: “These projects will transform the first and last impression passengers have at our gateway. As we modernise the passenger experience throughout the airport, we are curating a passenger experience that starts as soon as you land and continues through to your departure.”

The renovations follow the completion of several passenger-focused improvements, including restroom modernisation, check-in hall retiling and baggage handling system upgrades. These recent enhancements complement critical safety infrastructure projects already underway, including the J$11.5 billion (US$72 million) Runway End Safety Area (RESA) implementation, apron slab rehabilitation, and taxiway improvements.

“We embarked on this programme in 2023 and are focused on completing all major projects by 2029.  While we are transforming and the best is yet to come, each milestone enhances the experiences of our passengers and users. 

“We want to remind all stakeholders, including our airport community, that these are major renovations that are taking place while we continue operations, and so, we ask for everyone’s patience, understanding and cooperation as we do our best to minimise disruption throughout this process.

“We’re building facilities that will inspire pride in every traveller and airport user passing through NMIA.  The journey is well underway, and significantly better days are ahead,” English-Byfield continued.

PACKAL’s transformation programme spans a five-year period. With the operational infrastructure upgrades underway, the operator is now ramping up the passenger-facing projects, with projects in Departures scheduled to start later this month.