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The Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) has undertaken a major exercise to trim the multi-million dollar losses being incurred by the island's four aerodromes - Tinson Pen in Kingston, Ian Fleming International in St. Mary, Ken Jones in Port Antonio and the Negril Aerodrome.
AAJ officials disclosed on Friday that, since the closure of Air Jamaica Express, Tinson Pen has suffered a major reduction in revenue earnings.
According to Audley Diedrick, AAJ Vice President for Finance, subsidies for the four aerodromes were in the region of 40 to 50 million dollars.
Mr. Diedrick said 100,000 passengers previously used the aerodromes annually; however, this is no longer the case, resulting in government having to increase the subsidy.
"Currently... losses are in the order of $140 million and operating revenues about $20 million, so we have had a significant uptick in the level of subsidization, mainly due to Tinson Pen - about $60 million," he explained.
Additionally, he said, with Ian Fleming International Airport, "now operating as an international port of entry, with significantly higher costs,... that subsidy is about $70 million."