Steps being taken to reduce wait time at Sangster Int'l Airport

By Prince Moore    

 

The Ministry of Tourism says assurances have been given that increased resources will be deployed to deal with the slow processing times at Sangster International Airport.

 

The increased passenger numbers during the winter tourist season have resulted in complaints from travellers about extended waiting times and longer than usual lines at the airport since Sunday.

 

Senior Strategist in the Ministry of Tourism Delano Seiveright says discussions have been held with Transport Minister Daryl Vaz, the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency and the management of the airport.

 

He says the discussions were aimed at finding ways to reduce the processing time for travellers. 

 

"We have been assured that all efforts and resources are being strategically deployed, especially in the immigration area during the peak hours of 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., where we have dozens of flights arriving at that airport, and the hope is that that will optimise all the throughput of arriving passengers using the kiosks and immigration officers at their desks.

 

"Additional measures have also been put into place to prevent and mitigate the impact of any congestion, including getting the word out that we want persons to fill out the C5 form, that immigration form that we do online. We encourage persons to get it done before coming to Jamaica. That will help in allowing seamless movement within the airport," said Mr. Seiveright. 

 

With dozens of flights arriving at the airport during the peak period, the tourism strategist acknowledged that this creates  given the limitations in immigration and customs areas. But he said a medium to long-term fix is already onstream for that issue. 

 

"The immigration and customs halls are being expanded. I would expect that project to be completed before the end of next year, so it would help double the size as it relates to immigration and customs and so on, for arriving passengers, hopefully before the end of next year," he revealed.