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DELTA AIRLINES MAKES INAUGURAL FLIGHT TO KINGSTON FROM ATLANTA

Speaking at a ceremony to mark Delta Airlines’ inaugural flight to Kingston, Minister with responsibility for air transport, the honourable Robert Pickersgill, said that Delta’s expanding service in Jamaica was welcomed by both business and holiday travellers. The ceremony took place at the Norman Manley International Airport on Thursday, June 1, 2006 and was attended by officials of Delta Airlines and Norman Manley International Airports Ltd (NMIA) as well as the mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie, and others.

In addressing the gathering, Minister Pickersgill took the opportunity to highlight plans for the development of the Norman Manley International Airport but noted that the airport’s success would not be determined solely by its infrastructure or technical excellence. He said that the government was cognizant of the need for airlines to grow, and that the quality of the relationship between our airport and its partners is critical for its sustainable development.

The development of the airport will be carried out in 3 phases and a groundbreaking ceremony was held in March of this year. Phase 1A, the Minister disclosed, is scheduled for completion in late 2007. The planned development will see:-
• The construction of a three-level departure concourse, integrated with the existing ticketing concourse, once again allowing the accommodation of well-wishers within the terminal
• A significantly improved area for Passport Control and Security Check
• Airline Lounges including VIP lounges
• Redevelopment of the existing Arrival/Departure pier to a two level structure to accommodate the separation of arriving and departing passengers
• A new Departure Lounge with retail offerings and facilities to comfortably accommodate passengers on the third floor
• Passenger loading bridges will also be installed at some of gates initially
• Additionally, the arrival area will be renovated.

The Minister stated that an environment was being created that would be conducive to the growth of ‘our’ airlines, minimizing operating costs wherever possible. He also gave the assurance that, given the current intensely competitive environment of rising fuel and other operating costs, the Ministry was committed to constantly improving the Airport product offerings to airlines, while ensuring that costs remain competitive.

Delta Airlines well be flying into Kingston from Atlanta daily. In acknowledge the airline’s first flight into Kingston, Minister Pickersgill said “We (the government) recognize the relationship being forged today. It is our intention to develop and strengthen this relationship over the many years to come.”