- Patrick Campbell/Staff Photographer
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, left, talks with Mrs. Leonor Lozano, chief executive officer of MBJ Airports Ltd, during yesterday's ceremony to begin expansion work on the Sangster International Airport.
Roy Sanford, Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE NEW operator of the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, MBJ Airports Limited, is to spend US$180 million (J$10.6 billion) in upgrading the facility over the next five years.
On completion, officials say, the project is expected to have a profound impact on the nation's struggling economy.
"The Sangster project represents a critical link in the development programme for the country's economic infrastructure," Prime Minister P.J. Patterson said yesterday, at a ceremony in Montego Bay to officially mark the start of the project. "It is one of the building blocks to transform our economy into a modern, competitive and stable system that can generate economic growth, employment opportunities and higher living standard."
He pointed out that the project is coming on stream, at a time when far-reaching expansion of the tourism industry is about to take off along the northern coast of the island. "It (the project) must be done on time, if the growth in airport traffic from tourism is to be handled efficiently," he said.
Minister of Transport and Works, Robert Pickersgill, said that a modern airport was critical in maximising the island's trade potentials.
"Our island's international airports serve as catalysts for employment as well as investments both local and foreign," he stated.
The project is divided into three phases, according to Rami Subocki, vice-president of Ashtrom International Limited, a major shareholder in MBJ Airports Limited. Phase One, which began in April, includes the installation of six boarding bridges, the expansion of the ground transportation hall, the installation of Close Circuit Television (CCTV), the building of internal elevators to serve existing building, among others.
"It is our immediate solution to improving the services of the airport," Mr. Subocki said.
Phase one is expected to end in March 2004. The other phases include the construction of a hold room concourse and new aircraft parking positions, renovation work to the aircraft control tower and final renovation to the main terminal, among others.
MBJ Airports Limited took over the operations of Sangster International Airport in April 2003. Its major shareholders are Dragados, a Spanish construction and engineering conglomerate; Agunsa, a Chilean shipping and cargo company; Vancouver Airport Services, a Canadian commercial airport operator; and Asthrom, an Israeli construction firm.
