By Denise Clarke, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
MBJ AIRPORTS Limited is reporting that the development of the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay is moving ahead of schedule under the US$190 million concession agreement.
Chief executive officer, Jorge Sales, who took over the reins at MBJ last month, said he is satisfied with the progress of the improvement work, and expressed confidence in the airport's potential to become the premier gateway to the Caribbean.
"What I have seen is that the Sangster Airport has quite the potential to be transformed as the gate to the Caribbean area," Mr. Sales told The Gleaner in an interview on Thursday.
"And we are trying to reach that level, to be recognised all over the world as the prime destination into the Caribbean."
He explained that phase 1A of the project is almost complete and work on phase 1B has already begun, ahead of schedule.
ARRIVAL LOUNGE
In addition to the six loading bridges now in operation, a new arrival lounge is almost complete and construction has started on a 12-gate concourse building.
Construction of additional commercial space is also well advanced. The new chief executive, who has extensive experience in airport management, has also committed to establishing and maintaining close relationships with the Government and the Montego Bay community in order to keep all the stakeholders informed of the development.
Mr. Sales also plans to work closely with the staff at MBJ to reach the targets set out in the 30-year concession agreement.
SERVICE
"We have a concession agreement which is to reach certain levels of service so all our efforts are going to be to reach that requirement... not only from the physical standpoint but to the financial standpoint as well and being able to deliver to the community and the government of Jamaica the airport we have promised to create," he said.
Further improvements to the airport will see the installation of a modern computerised security control system, and the development of a new terminal to house new immigration and custom facilities, as well as shopping areas.
Mr. Sales, who is from Spain, has worked for 32 years with the Dragados Group, one of four companies which came together to form MBJ Airports consortium.
He has held a range of executive positions, including chief executive, managing director and president in different subsidiaries within the Dragados Group, and has worked in the Philippines, Chile, and Ecuador.
