To much fanfare last Saturday (October 4), the Sangster International Airport (SIA) was named the Caribbean’s leading airport for 2025 by World Travel Awards (WTA), marking an unprecedented 17th consecutive win of the accolade. 

With the Sandals Grande Saint Lucian Resort as a picture-perfect backdrop, the 2025 WTA Caribbean & North America gala ceremony is part of the organisation’s annual grand tour, which recognises excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries worldwide.

For Shane Munroe, chief executive at MBJ Airports Limited, which operates the Montego Bay-based airport, it is a humbling recognition.

He mused that the milestone recognition further solidifies SIA’s position as the region’s premier aviation gateway and underscores Jamaica’s continued distinction in travel and tourism. 

“We are deeply honoured to receive this recognition for the 17th consecutive year,” said Munroe as he dedicated the award to the MBJ team, wider SIA community and all their stakeholders.  

“This achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our over 7,500 exceptional team members and partners who work tirelessly every day to create memorable experiences for every traveller who passes through our gates.  We remain committed to continuing to serve with passion and humility, continuously innovating, and raising the bar for airport operations in the Caribbean and beyond.”

Sangster International, which serves as Jamaica’s primary tourism gateway, accommodating over 70 per cent of the island’s air travellers, continues to set the standard for airports in the Caribbean region.  

The recognition comes as MBJ continues to invest significantly in infrastructure, passenger experience enhancements, sustainability initiatives, and technological innovations at the SIA.   Over the past year, several major projects were completed to meet the growing travel demand and improve operational efficiency.  Among the notable developments, SIA has expanded its terminal facilities and introduced innovative solutions to streamline passenger flow, particularly for cruise passengers transitioning through the airport.  The opening of a new dedicated Air-Sea lounge has enhanced the airport’s ability to manage peak travel periods while maintaining the high service standards.  These strategic improvements complement the airport’s focus on digital innovation, which is driving the next phase of passenger experience.  Among the initiatives being implemented are full biometric integration on departures to complete the rollout already done in arrivals at the e-gates. 

Self-bag drop, the automated system that allows passengers to check in and drop off their own luggage without airline staff assistance, is expected to be piloted later this year. 

Looking ahead, Munroe and his team are focused on striking the right balance between capacity growth with exceptional customer experience, while ensuring that every visitor to Jamaica begins and ends their journey with world-class service and authentic island hospitality. 

As they map the next phase of development, Munroe highlighted expanding the check-in area, parking facilities, the Immigration Hall and the East Concourse as high-priority projects that will ensure an even more efficient and pleasant experience for travellers.

“The airport is an integral part of the visitor experience,” Munroe stated, noting the airport’s role as a key tourism partner.  “We are both the first and last impression visitors have of Jamaica – welcoming them upon arrival and providing their final taste of our renowned hospitality at departure.  This understanding drives our commitment to excelling across all touchpoints, from our amenities and facilities to our service delivery.  This recognition, for the 18th time [17th consecutive win], further inspires us to raise the bar even higher as we continue our journey of transformation and service excellence.”

This was reiterated by Sharon Hislop-Holt, manager of commercial business development and marketing, who underscored the collaborative effort behind this success. 

“This remarkable achievement reflects the incredible support and partnership we enjoy with our stakeholders, airline partners, and the wider airport community.  Every award we receive is shared with those who believe in our vision and work alongside us to deliver the exceptional Jamaican hospitality that our visitors have come to expect.  We are grateful for their continued trust and collaboration and look forward to continued high service delivery in the years to come,” she added.