By Monique Hepburn, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
AS PART of its commercial development initiative, MBJ Airports Limited, the operators of the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, has announced its intention to focus its income-earning strategies on non-aeronautical ventures.
Speaking at an Airport Forum in Montego Bay, Michael Kandert, vice-president of MBJ Airports Limited's commercial division, said that one of the key drivers of a successful airport was an emphasis on service development. He added that as carriers become more financially strapped, more would be expected of airports in terms of generating ideas for enhanced travel experience for passengers.
"The key principle is ensuring that Sangster International Airport continues to be a key economic generator for Jamaica and that shareholder value is increased," Mr. Kandert said. "If we can't make money we won't be in business for very long."
According to the vice president, plans for the commercial development of the airport involved strategies on several levels. These include marketing, pricing, commercial development and land development.
"We are moving away from relying mostly on aeronautical revenues, that's the old model of an airport business," Mr. Kandert pointed out, while adding that "we are looking to broaden the business and maximise the amount of revenue we get from other sources to reduce the burden on the carriers.
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"As part of our pricing initiatives, over the past year, land space, rental rates and advertising charges have been updated," said Mr. Kandert, in noting that Sangster's prices and fees were in the mid-range of its closest competitors. "Some of these charges had not been updated for a number of years and in the future we will be looking to increase the ground transporters and tour operators fees."
MBJ's commercial plans include facilities for private jets as they believe this measure will attract the 'high-end' visitors and shoppers.
