Jamaica's Negril Airport: Does It Exist?

Negril, Jamaica, is served by the Negril Aerodrome, a small airport located around 20 minutes from Negril. The airport primarily serves local tourist resorts and offers a more relaxed experience compared to larger airports. However, travellers may need to make a connecting flight to reach their final destination. For those travelling to Negril, there are also larger international airport options nearby, such as the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.

Negril Aerodrome: Negril's closest airport, 20 mins away, small, serves local resorts

Negril Aerodrome: Negril's Closest Airport

Negril Aerodrome (IATA: NEG, ICAO: MKNG) is the closest airport to Negril, Jamaica, located just 20 minutes away. The airport is situated 7 km (4.3 mi) north of Negril Point and serves the western region of Jamaica.

A Small Airport Serving Local Resorts

Negril Aerodrome is a small airport that primarily caters to the local tourist resorts. It is a convenient option for travellers headed to Negril, offering a more relaxed experience compared to larger airports. However, due to its size, passengers may need to make a connecting flight to reach their final destination.

Airport Facilities and Operations

The airport resides at an elevation of 9 ft (3 m) above mean sea level and has a single runway designated 05/23 with an asphalt surface. There are no fuelling facilities on-site, and the airport does not facilitate night flight operations.

In 2001, Negril Aerodrome handled approximately 72,096 passengers, with scheduled passenger service provided by International AirLink. The airport is owned and operated by the Airports Authority of Jamaica and is open from 1200-2300 UTC.

Montego Bay Sangster Airport: 2 hours from Negril, services international airlines, many transport options

Negril, Jamaica, is served by three airports: Negril Aerodrome, the closest option; and two larger international airports, Montego Bay Sangster International Airport and Norman Manley International Airport.

Montego Bay Sangster International Airport

Located 80 miles from Negril, Montego Bay Sangster Airport is just under a two-hour drive from Negril. The airport serves many international airlines and offers a range of transportation options, including shuttles, cabs, buses, and rental cars. The journey from the airport to Negril also offers a beautiful coastal drive through Jamaica.

Norman Manley International Airport

Located in Kingston, approximately 120 miles from Negril, Norman Manley International Airport is served by several domestic and international airlines. While this airport is a little farther away, resulting in a longer drive, it still offers convenient transportation options such as private shuttles, buses, taxis, and rental cars.

Negril Aerodrome

Negril Aerodrome is the closest airport to Negril, just a 20-minute drive away. This airport primarily serves the local tourist resorts and is smaller, offering a more relaxing experience for travellers. However, due to its size, you may need to make a connecting flight to reach this airport.

Norman Manley International Airport: 120 miles away in Kingston, serves domestic and international airlines

Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) is located approximately 120 miles from Negril in Kingston, Jamaica's capital. The airport is served by several domestic and international airlines, making it a convenient option for travellers headed to the southeastern coast of Jamaica or the southern coast. Norman Manley International Airport is one of Jamaica's two international airports, along with Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.

The airport is named after Jamaican Statesman Norman Manley, who served as the first and only Premier of the island. It is located near the Blue Mountains, which makes travel time between Kingston and towns in the northeast of Jamaica, like Port Antonio, a little longer. However, if you're headed to the southern coast or the southeastern coast of Jamaica, arriving at Norman Manley International Airport can be ideal.

The airport is mainly used by Jamaican residents, but it can be a good option for travellers depending on their final destination. If you're visiting towns like Kingston, Port Royal, or Mandeville, you may want to consider arriving via Norman Manley International Airport. The transfer times to each city from the airport are as follows:

• Kingston: 35 minutes
• Port Royal: 15 minutes
• Mandeville: 2 hours

Norman Manley International Airport offers a range of transportation options for travellers, including private shuttle, bus, taxi, or rental car services. It is a well-known airport in Jamaica, providing easy travel for all visitors to the island.

While Negril does have its own small airport, the Negril Aerodrome (NEA), it is primarily a domestic airport serving local resorts and tourist destinations. It is located about 20 minutes from Negril and offers a more intimate and relaxing experience for travellers. However, you may need to make a connecting flight to reach this airport.

Ian Fleming International Airport: Jamaica's newest airport, located in Boscobel, great for Ocho Rios

Jamaica has three international airports: Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Ian Fleming International Airport in Boscobel, and Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. While Sangster International Airport is the most popular and busiest of the three, Ian Fleming International Airport is Jamaica's newest airport, having been renovated in 2011 to accommodate international arrivals.

The airport is named after the British author Ian Fleming, who is famous for creating the world's most renowned fictional spy, James Bond. Located in the town of Boscobel, in Saint Mary Parish, Jamaica, the airport is about 9 miles (14.6 kilometres) from Ocho Rios, a popular tourist destination. The drive from the airport to Ocho Rios takes around 20 minutes.

Ian Fleming International Airport is ideal for travellers headed to certain areas in Jamaica, including Ocho Rios, Runaway Bay, Oracabessa, and Port Antonio. The airport is designed to handle private and commercial aircraft, such as the Cessna Citation Excel. It features a modern terminal, landing lights, a fire truck garage, and a fuelling station. The elevation of the airport is 90 feet (27 metres) above mean sea level, and it has one runway designated 09/27, with an asphalt surface measuring 4,769 feet by 79 feet (1,454 metres by 24 metres).

The airport offers superior services, including knowledgeable staff, professional luggage handling, and up-to-date flight information. They also provide local maps, tour guides, ground transportation arrangements, and recommendations for restaurants and golf courses. The airport is easily accessible, with an ideal location for those travelling to the north and east coasts of Jamaica, and it serves the tourist resort area known as the "Centre of Attraction," which includes popular towns and attractions.

Timair: The only scheduled airline serving Negril, or take a 15-minute charter flight

Negril, Jamaica, is served by the Negril Aerodrome, a small airport located 7km (4.3 miles) north of Negril Point. The airport primarily serves the tourist resorts in the area and offers a more intimate and relaxing experience compared to larger airports. While there is no specific mention of Timair as the only scheduled airline serving Negril, one source does indicate that International AirLink is the only scheduled airline serving the airport.

If you're considering flying into Negril, it's worth noting that the airport has no fueling facilities and does not operate any night flights. The closest major international airports to Negril are the Montego Bay Sangster International Airport (MBJ) and the Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) in Kingston. These airports are approximately two hours and two and a half hours away from Negril, respectively, by ground transportation.

If you're looking for a quicker travel option between Montego Bay and Negril, a 15-minute charter flight is also available. This option might be more convenient if you want to avoid a lengthy drive, especially if you're connecting through Montego Bay.

When planning your trip to Negril, it's important to consider your preferences for travel time, convenience, and the overall experience. While the larger international airports offer more flight options, the Negril Aerodrome provides a unique, intimate experience with easy access to the nearby resorts.

Frequently asked questions