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NEW DEPARTURES TERMINAL OPENED AT NMIA

Prime Minister Bruce Golding (2nd from left), and Opposition Leader Portia Simpson-Miller (3rd from left) cut the ribbon signifying the opening of the new Departures Terminal. Others in the picture are from left to right, Mr. Earl Richards, President AAJ, Transport Minister Mike Henry, Mr. Charles Heholt, Deputy Chairman, AAJ and Fr. Leslie Hoo Sang who offered prayer at the Opening Ceremony.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Opposition Leader Portia Simpson-Miller jointly cut the ribbon signifying the opening of the new Departures Lounge at the Norman Manley International Airport on Wednesday, October 22, 2008.

The new Departures Terminal forms part of Phase 1A of the twenty year programme from 2004 to 2023. Phase 1A runs from 2004 to 2009 and is expected to cost US$120M. This was after a revision of the initial estimate of US$127.1 for the overall project with US$63M then estimated for Phase 1A.

Phase 1A of the Capital Investment Programme is now into its final stage of completion, with the major developments including the Main Terminal Development Project and a two-level arrival/departure passenger pier already in use. Modifications to the old departure lounge to accommodate expanded Immigration, Customs and in-transit facilities are to be completed by mid-2009, to represent the completion of Phase 1A.

Overall, Phase 1A includes the following:

• New departure buildings
• A new Departure Check-in Hall
• 66 airline check-in positions with Common Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS), the most current airport technology
• Expanded outbound Immigration and Security screening stations
• A new Departure lounge to be built
• A new two-level passenger pier
• An upgraded roadway system and an expanded car park
• Major rehabilitation and upgrading of the terminal arrivals area, including the Immigration Hall, the Customs Hall, the reception area, and the area for meeting and greeting
• A new ground transportation hall
• Replacement and upgrading of the primary electrical infrastructure as well as
• Replacement and upgrading of the airport’s systems for public address, access control, flight information, baggage information, security control and other IT systems.

Delivering the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Bruce Golding noted that the improvement works taking place at the airport are consistent with International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards. In congratulating all who worked on the project, he noted that the Norman Manley Airport was now similar in character to other airports in the world. He used the opportunity to outline plans to build an across the harbour bridge which would link downtown to the airport. He also gave details about beautification works which are to take place along the airport corridor to downtown, responding to a request from Opposition Leader Portia Simpson-Miller.

Also speaking at the ceremony, were Opposition Leader, Portia Simpson-Miller who said she was very proud of what has been done to the airport, and thought that it was now a fitting legacy to Rt. Excellent Norman Manley whose name the airport bears. She hailed the development saying that persons could now travel in comfort, in particular women. She said that the opening of the terminal was saying to the world that ‘ Jamaica was now open for business.’

For his part, Minister Mike Henry used the opportunity to highlight some allied activities which form part of the wider multi-modal picture. He spoke to plans for the Vernamfield Air Cargo Hub, the continued expansion of the Port of Kingston, the pending re-introduction of rail service, the pending upgrading of the Montego Bay and Ocho Rios Cruise Ship as well as the upgrading of a number of local aerodromes.