THE EDITOR, Sir:
THIS LETTER is in regards to the letter entitled 'Ashamed for Norman Manley Airport', published on Friday, April 23,2004. I too am utterly disgusted by the state of our Capital City's airport. It really does not even matter whose name the airport is in, all it has to do with is something called national pride. Everyone I have talked to about Norman Manley Airport is in agreement that the interior departure and check-in sections are thoroughly modern and beautiful, but it is the state of the baggage and customs declaration, not to mention the exiting area of the airport, that is in dire need of rebuilding and air-conditioning. Aesthe-tically speaking, it looks ugly.
To think that Jamaica is bidding to host some of the games in the Cricket World Cup is great, but that dream can be destroyed in a minute when the first visitor to arrive at the airport sees its grotesque baggage and customs area and the exiting area that is so old and always hot and overcrowded.
FALSE IMPRESSION
It is time that the government thinks of its citizens, the majority of Jamaicans use NMIA and it seems to me that the government is only pursuing upgrading the Sangsters Airport, because it is where most visitors arrive and I guess the government wants to give them some false impression that Jamaica is all fun, yeah right.
Norman Manley Airport needs to embrace the future. Second level loading with jet bridges from aircraft to terminal building need to be added to the airport's infrastructure to compete with other modern airports like Trinidad and Tobago's Piarco Airport, We need to step up our game. Climbing up steps is so third world.
I am, etc.,
VLADIMIR ALEXARKIST
in2deep1986@yahoo.com
Miami, Florida
Via Go-Jamaica
