Minister of Transport Daryl Vaz has outlined a series of airport infrastructure plans and investments aimed at expanding Jamaica’s aviation capacity and boosting economic development through tourism and improved air connectivity.

Speaking at the 2025 Airport Forum 1 on Wednesday, Vaz said that the airports across Jamaica are major contributors to the national economy and act as engines of growth, particularly within the travel and tourism industry.

“The airports are, by nature, very capital-intensive facilities with ongoing expansion and other capital improvement programmes geared towards meeting traffic growth, industrial and regulatory compliance, improving efficiency, and maintaining high-quality customer service in the travel and tourism industry,” he said.

The minister announced that the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), which operates Ian Fleming International Airport and the domestic aerodromes, and the concessions operated by Sangster International Airport (SIA) and Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA), have a total capital programme budget provision of US$152 million, J$25 million for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, and a total of US$372 million, 61 million over the planning horizon from 2026–2029.

“As per the 2025–26 budget submission, Montego Bay Jamaica Airports Ltd (MBJ) has capital projects for US$68 million—J$11 billion programmed between 2026 and 2029, of which $29 million and $4 billion are programmed for 2025–2026. MBJ continues implementation of a range of projects under its master plan programme that is aimed at meeting the medium-term demand of the airport up to 2034,” Vaz added.

Vaz revealed that the AAJ is moving forward with several strategic projects. Among them is the Lionel Densham Aerodrome, which is in an advanced stage of planning and is being prepared for submission to the Public Investment Committee. The project involves acquiring and upgrading the aerodrome to support increased airlift capacity to South St Elizabeth and surrounding areas.

“The aerodrome will provide airlift to South St Elizabeth and surrounding areas, which is expected to drive tourism [and] expansion of economic development in that part of the island,” he said.

In addition, the Ken Jones Aerodrome in Port Antonio is undergoing assessment for expansion and potential redevelopment into an international port of entry.

“The Airport Authority has engaged consultants who are undertaking an analysis of the possible further expansion and development potential for the Ken Jones Aerodrome into an international port of entry,” Vaz continued.

However, he noted that due to site limitations, expansion at the current location is not feasible. An alternative site will therefore be identified to support enhanced airlift capacity for Eastern Jamaica, in line with government tourism and development plans. Vaz also addressed plans for the relocation of Tinson Pen Aerodrome. The AAJ has been in consultation with the Port Authority and the National Works Agency, in line with a directive from Prime Minister Andrew Holness during his 2023 Budget Presentation.

“Concessionaires have also been engaged and have provided a proposed plan for accommodating some of Tinson Pen’s operations at Norman Manley. In addition, consultants engaged by the AAJ are now conducting a study for possible alternative sites for the establishment of an alternative aerodrome for Tinson Pen,” Vaz said, noting that the study is expected to be completed by September 2025.

Regarding the Negril Airport, Vaz noted that the AAJ has completed a master plan for a new international airport at Little London, Westmoreland.

“The airport location is about 20 minutes away from the Negril 7-mile strip, where most of the hotels are. The airport will also expand tourism and economic activity in the western parishes of Jamaica. The project will now be taken to the government projects investment approval process, followed by investment modality and implementation. The total project cost estimated is US$460 million over a phased development plan, which is expected to be implemented through a public-private partnership modality,” he said.