Phase Two of airport expansion takes flight

Claudine Housen, Hospitality Jamaica Writer

THE SANGSTER International Airport is now one step closer to being the largest airport in the Caribbean following a ground-breaking ceremony to commence work on the final phase of the airport expansion programme last Friday.

Phase One of the two-pronged airport expansion project was completed almost a year ahead of schedule, in November last year to the tune of US$53 million (J$3.4 billion).

CLAUDINE HOUSEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER - Minister of Transport and Works Robert Pickersgill (left) is joined by Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) Dennis Morrison (centre) and MBJ Airports Limited Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jorge Sales in a ground breaking ceremony to commence construction of phase two of the Sangster International Airport Expansion Programme. The six-stage US $ 51 Million (JA $ 3.3 Billion) project will include a new ground transport hall, a new departure security area, re-development of the departure check-in an airline office area, one additional gate and development of outgoing baggage and departure check-in facilities. The project is slated to end in July 2008.

Speaking to a gathering of tourism stakeholders, Minister of Transport and Works, Robert Pickersgill, said the airport would be able to accommodate a 281per cent increase in passengers upon completion.

5,800 SQUARE METRES OF SPACE

"On completion of Phase Two there will be 5,800 square metres of retail commercial space. This will accommodate 55 retail and service outlets making it the largest in the Caribbean," he said. "The increased capacity of the airport will further move it into the echelons of First World facilities, as it will have the ability to handle nine million passengers per year, up from 3.2 million."

Budgeted to cost US$51 million (J$3.3 billion), one million dollars less than its predecessor, Phase Two will take place in six stages and is slated for completion in July 2008.

* Stage 1 (January ­ March 2006): Construction of a west substation at the northwest corner of the existing terminal building.

* Stage 2 (January ­ December 2006): Construction of the south extension to the existing building, which will house the re-located ground transportation hall and the customs baggage claim area.

* Stage 3 (November 2006 ­ July 2007): Construction of a new building in the area of the existing Airport Police Station to house outbound immigration and security checkpoint, development of vertical transportation from the departure concourse and the installation of gate seven.

* Stage 4 (August - December 2007): Installation of new outbound baggage handling equipment, re-development of existing departure check-in counters and departure holding lounges at gates five and six

* Stage 5 (December 2007 - April 2008): Re-development of departure check-in areas currently being used by Northwest and Air Jamaica and the first floor departure lounge area at gates three and five.

* Stage 6 (April - July 2008) Re-development of departure check-in currently used by Air Canada, departure lounges near gates one and two.