Roberta Aguirre
Jamaica has three international airports: Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Ian Fleming International Airport in Boscobel, and Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. Sangster International is the most popular airport for tourists, serving the north coast of Jamaica. The airport was originally named Montego Bay Airport and was completed in 1947. Ian Fleming International Airport is the newest airport in Jamaica, having been renovated in 2011. It is a great option for those heading to Ocho Rios. Norman Manley International Airport is convenient for travellers headed to the southeastern coast of Jamaica and is mainly used by Jamaican residents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of International Airports | 3 |
| Names of Airports | Sangster International Airport, Ian Fleming International Airport, Norman Manley International Airport |
| Locations | Montego Bay, Boscobel, Kingston |
| Airport in Kingston | Norman Manley International Airport |
| Ideal Airport for Southern Coast | Norman Manley International Airport |
| Main Airport in Montego Bay | Sangster International Airport |
| Busiest Airport | Sangster International Airport |
| Newest Airport | Ian Fleming International Airport |
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What You'll Learn
Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay
Sangster International Airport (IATA: MBJ, ICAO: MKJS) is located 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Montego Bay, Jamaica. It is the most popular airport for tourists visiting the north coast of Jamaica and is one of the busiest airports in the country. The airport is capable of handling nine million passengers per year. It is named after former Jamaican Prime Minister Sir Donald Sangster.
Sangster International Airport is the main airport in Montego Bay and serves as a convenient gateway to various parts of Jamaica. It offers efficient transportation options and access to premium lounge services. The airport has undergone continuous upgrades over the years, with the terminal shifting from the northern to the southern side of the runway to accommodate growing air traffic.
As one of the three international airports in Jamaica, Sangster International Airport is a popular choice for travellers, especially those visiting the north coast and those wishing to travel domestically within the island. It is conveniently located for destinations such as Montego Bay, Negril, Falmouth, and Runaway Bay.
The history of the airport dates back to 1936 when the site was identified as suitable for construction. The first international airline to operate at the airport, then known as Montego Bay Airport, was Pan American Airways. The Jamaican government took control of the airport in 1949, marking the beginning of its transformation into the modern Sangster International Airport.
Sangster International Airport has experienced significant growth and expansion over the years, with plans for further development to achieve world-class status. The airport is currently managed by MBJ Airports Limited, with Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico as the leading stakeholder and Vantage Airport Group as a minority owner.
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Ian Fleming International Airport, Boscobel
Ian Fleming International Airport (IFIA), previously known as Boscobel Aerodrome, is located in Boscobel, Saint Mary Parish, Jamaica. It is around 9-10 miles (or 15 kilometres) east of Ocho Rios in northeastern Jamaica. The airport is named after Ian Fleming, the British author who created the James Bond novels, and whose Goldeneye estate is located just 5km from the airport in Oracabessa.
The airport is Jamaica's newest international port of entry and was opened on 12 January 2011 by Prime Minister Bruce Golding, with the intention of attracting high-end tourists to Jamaica's north coast. It is designed to handle small jets and private and commercial aircraft as large as the Cessna Citation Excel. The airport features a modern terminal, landing lights, a fire truck garage, and a fuelling station.
Renovations began in 2009 and cost $300 million (JMD). The airport was previously a limited-service facility, operating for over 30 years and processing around 20,000 passengers annually. The new airport welcomed its first international flight in May 2010, eight months before its official opening.
Ian Fleming International Airport is a convenient option for those travelling to certain areas of Jamaica, including Ocho Rios, which is a 20-minute drive from the airport. It is also ideal for those travelling to Oracabessa, Port Antonio, and Port Maria. The airport serves the tourist resort area known as the "Centre of Attraction", and its proximity to resorts, restaurants, golf courses, and beaches on the North and East Coast reduces transportation costs.
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Norman Manley International Airport, Kingston
Norman Manley International Airport (IATA: KIN, ICAO: MKJP) is located in Kingston, Jamaica. It is named after Jamaican Statesman Norman Manley, who served as the first and only Premier of Jamaica. The airport is situated 19 km (12 mi) south of New Kingston, on the Palisadoes tombolo in outer Kingston Harbour, with the Caribbean Sea on one side. It is the second busiest airport in the country, recording 629,400 arriving passengers in 2020 and 830,500 in 2021, with over 130 international flights departing each week.
Norman Manley International Airport is a convenient option for travellers headed to the southeastern and southern coasts of Jamaica, particularly towns in the northeast such as Port Antonio. It is also ideal for those visiting Kingston and the surrounding areas. The airport is easily accessible from various parts of Jamaica via ground transportation or domestic air travel.
The airport was previously known as Palisadoes Airport and was established in 1948, the same year as the Kingston Air Traffic Control Centre (KATCC) was founded. It served as the hub for Air Jamaica, Jamaica's flag carrier, from 1968 until the airline ceased operations in 2015. Norman Manley International Airport was featured in the first James Bond film, Dr. No (1962).
Over the years, the airport has witnessed several notable incidents. In 1953, a Caribbean International Airways Lockheed Lodestar aircraft lost an engine on takeoff and crashed into the sea, resulting in the deaths of 13 people, with only one survivor. In 1960, a Cubana de Aviación Vickers Viscount aircraft was hijacked, and the captain requested political asylum at Palisadoes Airport. In 2009, an American Airlines Flight 331 overshot the runway during a heavy rainstorm and broke into three pieces.
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Airport transportation and lounge services
Jamaica has three international airports: Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Ian Fleming International Airport in Boscobel, and Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.
Sangster International Airport
This airport is the most popular and busiest airport in Jamaica. It is located in Montego Bay, St. James Parish, and serves as a convenient gateway to various parts of Jamaica. Sangster International Airport offers a range of transportation options, including car rentals, taxis, hotel shuttles, and intra-island airlines, which can be found in the Ground Transportation Arrivals Hall outside the Customs area. Baggage carts are available free of charge in the Baggage Claim Hall, and porter services are also available for a minimum fee of US$1.00 per bag. Hotel hospitality lounges, such as those for Couples, Half Moon, Sandals, and Hyatt, can be found in the Ground Transportation Hall, providing transportation and other services for their guests. Additionally, passengers can access the Club Mobay VIP lounge for arrival and departure services.
Ian Fleming International Airport
Ian Fleming International Airport is the newest international airport in Jamaica, located in Boscobel, approximately 9 miles from Ocho Rios. While it is not the most highly trafficked airport, it is a convenient option for those heading to certain areas, including Ocho Rios, which is just a 20-minute drive from the airport.
Norman Manley International Airport
Norman Manley International Airport is located in Kingston, Jamaica's capital, and is convenient for travellers headed to the southern coast of Jamaica or towns in the northeast, such as Port Antonia. This airport offers premium lounge services, including expedited immigration and customs assistance.
Pre-booking Airport Transfer Services
To save time and ensure a seamless arrival experience, it is recommended to pre-book airport transfer services. This allows travellers to avoid the hassle of arranging transportation upon landing and provides a comfortable and efficient journey to their destination.
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Airport history and management
Jamaica has three international airports: Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Ian Fleming International Airport in Boscobel, and Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. Of these, Sangster is the busiest, Ian Fleming is the newest, and Norman Manley is most used by Jamaican residents.
The Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) was established in 1974 under the Airports Authority Act as an independent statutory body. Initially, it was responsible for the ownership and management of the nation's two international airports: Norman Manley International Airport and Sangster International Airport. In 1990, the AAJ took on responsibility for the island's four domestic aerodromes: Tinson Pen in Kingston, Ken Jones in Portland, Boscobel in St Mary, and Negril in Westmoreland.
The AAJ has worked to develop and operate a safe and secure airport system for Jamaica. In 2003, the AAJ divested operational responsibility for Sangster International Airport to MBJ Airports Limited, a private sector operator, under a 30-year concession agreement. The AAJ retains ownership of the non-movable assets of the airport and manages the concession agreement to ensure the private operator performs its contractual obligations. The AAJ also continues to operate and manage Ian Fleming International Airport and the three remaining domestic aerodromes.
The AAJ is responsible for the long-term planning and development of Jamaica's airport system and is at the forefront of the country's air transportation policy development. Both Norman Manley International Airport and Sangster International Airport are highly capital-intensive businesses and are organized and managed as self-financing commercial enterprises. The Government of Jamaica has implemented a policy of airport privatization, with the privatization of Sangster International Airport being in line with international trends and the need to attract private capital to finance expansion and development.
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Frequently asked questions
The main airport in Jamaica is Sangster International Airport, located in Montego Bay, St. James Parish.
Yes, there are two other international airports in Jamaica: Ian Fleming International Airport in Boscobel and Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.
Sangster International Airport is the busiest airport in Jamaica and the most popular among tourists.
Ian Fleming International Airport is the newest airport in Jamaica, having been renovated in 2011 to welcome international arrivals.
