AAJ identifies site for international airport in Negril

By Kimone Witter    

 

The Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) has identified a site for the establishment of the country's fourth international airport, which is to be located in Negril, Westmoreland.

 

The development follows the recent announcement by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, for the establishment of an international airport in the resort town.

 

Audley Deidrick, President and Chief Executive Officer of the AAJ, says the directive given by the government was for the AAJ to determine the extent to which the Negril Aerodrome could be upgraded to an international airport.

 

Mr. Diedrick told the JIS on Tuesday that consultants were hired to develop a master plan to transform the facility. 

 

"We engaged consultants to do the necessary studies and out of those studies it has emerged that the present aerodrome is not suitable for development of a major international airport taking flights or aircraft of the size of say the 737s which is the most common airline aircraft utilised for transport now,; " he disclosed. 

 

Mr. Diedrick said having done the research in the Negril area, the consultants have located an alternative site, which is within 15 to 20 minutes away from the tourist belt and the Negril seven-mile beach.

 

He said plans are now being crafted for the development of this international airport, which is expected to ease some of the pressure off the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.

 

Opposition against move 

 

But the government is facing opposition to the plan to construct an international airport in Negril.

 

Ian Hayles, Opposition Spokesperson on Water and People's National Party caretaker for Westmoreland Western, says the proposal disregards critical, unmet infrastructural needs that would benefit both residents and tourists.

 

Mr. Hayles noted that Air Jamaica Express and other airlines previously operated flights into Negril's aerodrome, yet it proved financially unfeasible and unsustainable over time.

 

"What Negril really needs is water security. We have hotels from small to large that rely on a steady water supply and yet 35 per cent of our National Water Commission customers, including residents in the area still, don't have access to reliable water. That's unacceptable. For tourists and citizens who face travel delays trying to enter or exit Lucea, what's needed is a bypass road to tackle the heavy traffic congestion. This in itself would ease travel for everyone and make the region more accessible," he proposed.