WESTERN BUREAU:
Passengers departing Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (SIA) will soon enjoy a seamless travel experience with the introduction of biometric check-in and boarding, aligning with similar advancements for incoming passengers.
The rollout of biometric boarding gates and automated baggage-drop systems aims to modernise operations and deliver faster, more efficient service, according to MBJ Airports Limited CEO Shane Munroe, who was speaking at the airport’s biannual stakeholders’ forum on Tuesday.
Munroe explained that this two-step process, which involves enrolling via mobile devices or self-service kiosks, aims to reduce queues and wait times.
Another technological upgrade at SIA is the expansion of its Wi-Fi capabilities and the automation of parking systems to meet these upgrades.
“With enhanced wireless Internet access across the terminal and automated payment systems in the car parks, passengers will be able to navigate the airport with greater ease and efficiency. Additionally, the airport is increasing its use of solar energy to power operations, with plans to expand its solar capacity to 6 megawatts by 2025,” he shared in a 45-minute presentation.
With the airport’s ongoing solar power project aimed at reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint, the MBJ CEO noted that the facility was already seeing impressive results from Phase 1, which is expected to provide a substantial portion of the airport’s energy needs.
“The goal is to eventually achieve 60 per cent of the airport’s energy needs from renewable sources, a step towards net-zero emissions in the long term,” he said.
A key development is the construction of a new, purpose-built lounge for exclusive air-to-sea passengers, which exemplifies the upgrades already enhancing incoming traffic. Officially opened on Tuesday, the lounge will process hundreds of passengers transferring to cruise ships that home port in Montego Bay.
“This lounge will feature dedicated immigration and Customs processing, helping to alleviate congestion in the arrivals area,” said Munroe.
Up to 1,000 cruise-bound passengers arrive on airplanes on peak days. Cruise ship passengers primarily arrive at SIA during the winter season, from November to April, each year.
Munroe shared that this will help alleviate congestion in the arrivals area, enhancing the experience for both passengers and airport staff. Another significant development is the expansion of immigration halls and outbound security areas, which will increase the number of lanes to accommodate growing passenger traffic, with a target completion by the next winter season.
These developments, along with other infrastructure upgrades, such as the replacement of baggage carousels and enhanced biometric systems for faster passenger processing, he noted, demonstrate SIA’s commitment to keeping pace with global travel demands and ensuring a world-class experience for travellers arriving in Jamaica.
Global challenges
One of Jamaica’s busiest and most important gateways, SIA is also steadily recovering from the global disruptions of the past few years. As of November 2024, the airport has handled approximately 4.6 million passengers, slightly down from the 4.7 million passengers recorded in 2023 but still significantly ahead of the pre-COVID year of 2019. Munroe attributed this dip to several global challenges, including ongoing travel advisories and limited airline capacity. Despite these setbacks, the airport is maintaining strong performance, particularly in its primary market – the United States – which accounts for 74 per cent of its traffic.
Notably, the airport is actively diversifying its routes to reduce dependency on the US market. New direct flights, such as those from The Bahamas and Peru, are helping to expand the airport’s global connectivity.
“We are focusing on attracting a broader range of international carriers to ensure our growth trajectory remains steady,” Munroe explained.
With new markets, such as South America, in play and airlines like LATAM and Avello Airlines expanding their services, he says SIA is primed for continued success despite the hurdles of 2024.
His comments were bolstered by Airports Authority of Jamaica President and CEO of the Audley Deidrick, who highlighted the ongoing improvements, emphasising the increased deployment of information and communications technology to enhance airport operations and customer service. He noted that these upgrades have led to faster passenger flows and a significant reduction in congestion.
“While we experienced a slight decompression in traffic last weekend, we are working closely with the team at MBJ to address any issues and ensure that we maintain the efficient operations we’ve come to expect,” Deidrick remarked.
He stressed the importance of continuous collaboration to preserve the robustness of airport facilities, systems, and procedures to prevent recurrence of any incidents.
On the topic of airport traffic, Deidrick acknowledged the post-COVID recovery in aviation, particularly driven by the growth of tourism.
“The years 2021 and 2022 saw significant growth, but 2023 was a standout year, with passenger numbers surpassing pre-COVID levels by 11 per cent at Sangster International Airport and Norman Manley trailing slightly with a five per cent decline compared to 2019,” he said.
He expressed optimism about continued growth but noted a slowdown this year.
“We are hopeful that with the efforts of the tourism and aviation sectors, the rebound will continue,” said Deidrick.
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