Sir Donald Sangster International Airport
Encyclopedia
Sangster International Airport is an international airport located 3 mi (4.8 km) east of Montego Bay
, Jamaica
. It is one of the largest, busiest and most ultra-modern airports in the Caribbean capable of handling nine (9) million passengers per annum. Sangster is often referred to as the gateway to the Caribbean, and is the Caribbean hub for many airlines. It serves as the most popular airport for tourists visiting the north coast of Jamaica. MBJ is currently the busiest of Jamaica's three international airports, the others being the Norman Manley International Airport
located in the capital city of Kingston
and the Ian Fleming International Airport located in Boscobel
, Saint Mary Parish
, Jamaica
. The airport is named after Jamaican Prime Minister Sir Donald Sangster
.
, St. James
, was first conceived in 1936 when the site now housing the Sangster International Airport was identified as one suitable for the construction of an airport in the town of Montego Bay. Originally named the Montego Bay Airport, a decision was made to build the runway in 1940, and the actual construction of the facility was completed on February 18, 1947. At the time of its completion, the town of Montego Bay was more like a playground for the rich and famous, and was considered then, one of the premier vacation spots within the Caribbean, just as it is today.
The first international airline to fly into the Montego Bay Airport was Pan American Airways, and the airport, which in comparison to today's standards, was more like a small aerodrome, was operated by Pan American until September 30, 1949, when the Jamaican government took control of the facility. However, the Sangster International Airport, as known today, is nothing like it was in the early days. One of the most noticeable differences was that initially, the terminal building was on the northern side of the runway but was shifted to the southern side of the runway during one of the several upgrading exercises that took place at that facility, which was necessitated by the growth in air traffic over the years. Plans for the construction of a new terminal at its present location, on the southern side of the runway, were announced in July 1955. the plans for the new terminal building was part of what turned out to be a continued upgrading and restructuring of the facility, to enable it to cope with the growth in traffic. The new terminal was built and opened on July 7, 1959, with a capacity to accommodate 500 passengers per hour, and parking for seven aircraft at a time.
Over the years, the upgrading process was a continuous one, ultimately the facility had grown into the larger of the two international airports in Jamaica, handling approximately 3.7 million passengers per annum in 2007, and has seen an increase in passenger and aircraft movement since the start of 2008. The management and partners of the airport are currently seeking to increase the number of passengers from Asia, and are working with Brazil to receive more non-stop service from that country.
As of 2000, plans have been executed to expand the airport to the status of a world-class airport. A new concourse was completed in December 2005 to allow large commercial aircraft such as the Airbus A340
, Boeing 747-400
and possibly the Airbus A380
. Also a planned expansion of the main runway is currently in the preparation phase, which will, when completed, afford the airport a fully functioning 10000 feet (3,048 m) runway to accommodate large aircraft traffic. MBJ Airports Limited also commissioned a new customs hall, arrivals lobby and transportation center in March 2007. Since then, further expansion and renovation projects such as the relocation of the immigrations hall and duty free mall have been launched and they are expected to be completed by October 2008. When completed, the facility will be one of the Caribbean's most modern airports, and will have increased the handling capacity to nine million passengers per annum.
Recently, there was a change in management at the airport following the change in the consortium that operates this facility. Relations between the new management and unions have been difficult, with a strike in November 2007 and in November 2009.
(2% stake). Another partner is Abertis
. Sangster was privatized and turned over by Airports Authority of Jamaica to the consortium in 2003.
Montego Bay
Montego Bay is the capital of St. James Parish and the second largest city in Jamaica by area and the fourth by population .It is a tourist destination with duty free shopping, cruise line terminal and the beaches...
, Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
. It is one of the largest, busiest and most ultra-modern airports in the Caribbean capable of handling nine (9) million passengers per annum. Sangster is often referred to as the gateway to the Caribbean, and is the Caribbean hub for many airlines. It serves as the most popular airport for tourists visiting the north coast of Jamaica. MBJ is currently the busiest of Jamaica's three international airports, the others being the Norman Manley International Airport
Norman Manley International Airport
-Cargo :The following Cargo/Courier serve Norman Manley International Airport:-Accidents and incidents:*On 17 July 1960, the captain of a Vickers Viscount of Cubana de Aviación hijacked the aircraft on a flight from José Martí International Airport, Havana to Miami International Airport, Florida...
located in the capital city of Kingston
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
and the Ian Fleming International Airport located in Boscobel
Boscobel, Jamaica
Boscobel is located in St. Mary Parish on the north shore of Jamaica, ten miles east of Ocho Rios. It is home to Ian Fleming International Airport and is located approximately half-way between Montego Bay and Kingston.-References:...
, Saint Mary Parish
Saint Mary Parish, Jamaica
Saint Mary is a parish located in the northeast section of Jamaica. With a population of 115,000 it is one of Jamaica's smallest parishes, located in the county of Middlesex. Its chief town and capital is Port Maria, located on the coast. It is also the birthplace of established dancehall reggae...
, Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
. The airport is named after Jamaican Prime Minister Sir Donald Sangster
Donald Sangster
Sir Donald Burns Sangster was a Jamaican politician and the second Prime Minister of Jamaica. He entered politics in 1933 at the age of 21 with his election to the council of the Parish of St Elizabeth, Jamaica...
.
History
Sir Donald Sangster International Airport or Sangster International Airport for short, in Montego BayMontego Bay
Montego Bay is the capital of St. James Parish and the second largest city in Jamaica by area and the fourth by population .It is a tourist destination with duty free shopping, cruise line terminal and the beaches...
, St. James
Saint James Parish, Jamaica
St James is a suburban parish, located on the north west end of the island of Jamaica. Its capital, Montego Bay, derived from the Spanish word Manteca because many wild hogs were found there from which they made lard. It was named publicly the second city of Jamaica, behind Kingston, in 1981....
, was first conceived in 1936 when the site now housing the Sangster International Airport was identified as one suitable for the construction of an airport in the town of Montego Bay. Originally named the Montego Bay Airport, a decision was made to build the runway in 1940, and the actual construction of the facility was completed on February 18, 1947. At the time of its completion, the town of Montego Bay was more like a playground for the rich and famous, and was considered then, one of the premier vacation spots within the Caribbean, just as it is today.
The first international airline to fly into the Montego Bay Airport was Pan American Airways, and the airport, which in comparison to today's standards, was more like a small aerodrome, was operated by Pan American until September 30, 1949, when the Jamaican government took control of the facility. However, the Sangster International Airport, as known today, is nothing like it was in the early days. One of the most noticeable differences was that initially, the terminal building was on the northern side of the runway but was shifted to the southern side of the runway during one of the several upgrading exercises that took place at that facility, which was necessitated by the growth in air traffic over the years. Plans for the construction of a new terminal at its present location, on the southern side of the runway, were announced in July 1955. the plans for the new terminal building was part of what turned out to be a continued upgrading and restructuring of the facility, to enable it to cope with the growth in traffic. The new terminal was built and opened on July 7, 1959, with a capacity to accommodate 500 passengers per hour, and parking for seven aircraft at a time.
Over the years, the upgrading process was a continuous one, ultimately the facility had grown into the larger of the two international airports in Jamaica, handling approximately 3.7 million passengers per annum in 2007, and has seen an increase in passenger and aircraft movement since the start of 2008. The management and partners of the airport are currently seeking to increase the number of passengers from Asia, and are working with Brazil to receive more non-stop service from that country.
As of 2000, plans have been executed to expand the airport to the status of a world-class airport. A new concourse was completed in December 2005 to allow large commercial aircraft such as the Airbus A340
Airbus A340
The Airbus A340 is a long-range four-engine wide-body commercial passenger jet airliner. Developed by Airbus Industrie,A consortium of European aerospace companies, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known as Airbus SAS. a consortium of European aerospace companies, which is...
, Boeing 747-400
Boeing 747-400
The Boeing 747-400 is a major development and the best-selling model of the Boeing 747 family of jet airliners. While retaining the four-engine wide-body layout of its predecessors, the 747-400 embodies numerous technological and structural changes to produce a more efficient airframe...
and possibly the Airbus A380
Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by the European corporation Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS. It is the largest passenger airliner in the world. Due to its size, many airports had to modify and improve facilities to accommodate it...
. Also a planned expansion of the main runway is currently in the preparation phase, which will, when completed, afford the airport a fully functioning 10000 feet (3,048 m) runway to accommodate large aircraft traffic. MBJ Airports Limited also commissioned a new customs hall, arrivals lobby and transportation center in March 2007. Since then, further expansion and renovation projects such as the relocation of the immigrations hall and duty free mall have been launched and they are expected to be completed by October 2008. When completed, the facility will be one of the Caribbean's most modern airports, and will have increased the handling capacity to nine million passengers per annum.
Recently, there was a change in management at the airport following the change in the consortium that operates this facility. Relations between the new management and unions have been difficult, with a strike in November 2007 and in November 2009.
MBJ Airports Ltd.
Sangster is run by a consortium called MBJ Airports Limited. Leading partner of the consortium is Vancouver Airport ServicesVancouver Airport Services
Vancouver Airport Services is an airport management company with 19 airports worldwide. It is a subsidiary of the Vancouver Airport Authority which manages Vancouver International Airport....
(2% stake). Another partner is Abertis
Abertis
Abertis Infraestructuras, S.A. is a Spanish corporation. The company runs 6,713 kilometres of motorways in Europe and operates more than a dozen airports in cities including London, Stockholm and Orlando...
. Sangster was privatized and turned over by Airports Authority of Jamaica to the consortium in 2003.
Passenger services
The Sangster International Airport has two terminals. One for international flights and the other for domestic travel. The terminals currently serve the following airlines:Cargo
Incidents and accidents
- On 21 January 1960, AviancaAviancaAvianca S.A. is the flag carrier airline of Colombia since December 5, 1919 when it was initially registered under the name SCADTA. It is headquartered in Bogotá, D.C. with its hub at the El Dorado International Airport...
Flight 671Avianca Flight 671Avianca Flight 671 was a flight using a Lockheed Constellation that crashed and burned on landing at Montego Bay, Jamaica, on January 21, 1960, killing 37 people, making it the worst accident in Jamaican aviation history. This was the first accident for the Colombian national airline Avianca...
, a Lockheed L-1049E, crashed and burned on landing, killing 37 aboard.
- On 25 May 1972, one hour and 18 minutes after take-off from Panama City a homemade pipe bomb exploded in the ice water fountain service compartment of a Boeing 727Boeing 727The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced...
. A rapid decompression followed. A successful emergency landing was carried out at Montego Bay, Jamaica.
- On 19 April 2009, CanJetCanJetCanJet Airlines is a low-cost chartered airline based in Enfield and in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada at the Halifax International Airport. It operates contract and ad hoc charters throughout Canada and the United States...
Flight 918CanJet Flight 918CanJet Flight 918 was a flight that was on 19 April 2009 to have taken off from Sangster International Airport , Montego Bay, Jamaica, bound for Halifax Stanfield International Airport , Halifax, Canada, but was instead seized before takeoff for hours by an armed, lone hijacker...
, a Boeing 737-800, was hijacked. The hijacker, armed with a semi-automatic pistol is reported as having asked to be taken to Cuba. However, the security personnel eventually regained control of the aircraft without anyone being injured.
- On 28 January 2011, American AirlinesAmerican AirlinesAmerican Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
Flight 966, a Boeing 757-200Boeing 757The Boeing 757 is a mid-size, narrow-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Passenger versions of the twinjet have a capacity of 186 to 289 persons and a maximum range of , depending on variant and cabin configuration...
flying from Quito to Miami made an emergency landing at the airport at about 2:18 PM after encountering engine problems. Passengers disembarked the aircraft normally. There were no injuries among the 155 passengers on board
External links
- Sangster International Airport, official website
- Airports Authority of Jamaica, official website