Expansion work at Norman Manley International Airport progressing

By Halshane Burke  

 

 

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz says the current expansion work at Norman Manley International Airport will result in the country having a competitive edge in the tourism industry. 

 

Work valued at US$51 million is currently being undertaken on the aprons, which is the area where aircraft are parked, loaded, unloaded, refuelled, and serviced.

 

Minister Vaz conducted a tour of the facility on Tuesday to observe the progress of the work being undertaken.

 

He said once the expansion is complete the airport will be able to accommodate larger jets. 

 

"We still have another $70 million or $80 million contract for the runway extension. So the two go hand in hand. One is to extend the runway to accommodate the bigger jets that are going to be flying as time goes by, and secondly, to have the specifications to carry the weight of those planes which are much heavier than the existing planes that we fly today for cargo and for passenger. So it is what I would call a state-of-the-art project. So the specifications that are here will be able to carry this airport for another 35 to 40 years in terms of the aviation and future," he noted.