Sangster Airport voted No.1

Jamaica’s Sangster International Airport has been named Caribbean Airport of the Year in the 10th annual Caribbean Travel Awards. The airport in Montego Bay has seen significant improvements and upgrades recently which won’t be completed for a year or so - but has still gained the top honour.

It’s a remarkable accolade considering earlier this year, JA Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the problems at Sangster underscored the need to push through the US$70 million modernisation and expansion project that was already underway.

The work is scheduled to be completed by 2025, and Holness said the improvements at the Caribbean’s largest and busiest airport “will make Jamaica more attractive and make Jamaica more competitive with other countries in the region, which have also invested heavily in improving their infrastructure.”

The runway was lengthened at a cost of $34 million which was finished in the summer. Jamaica attracted over four million visitors in 2023, a record. The Tourism Ministry aims to draw five million visitors annually by 2025. That would be a 35% increase from Jamaica’s peak of 3.7 million tourists in 2022.

The award, made by Caribbean Journal, the largest website covering Caribbean travel, highlighted Sangster’s exceptional achievements and transformation into one of the Caribbean’s premier aviation hubs.

Alexander Britell, editor-in-chief, and founder of Caribbean Journal, declared Sangster International Airport as the standout choice for the prestigious title. The airport has had a recent makeover, resulting in a superior, more digitised passenger experience, enhanced services, and an upgraded food and beverage offering, featuring the world’s first-ever Bob Marley-branded restaurant. The commendation also acknowledged Club MoBay, one of the finest airport lounges in the wider Caribbean, and SIA’s remarkable contribution to the region’s fast-growing airlift networks.

Shane Munroe, CEO of MBJ Airports Limited, said: “We are thrilled to be named Caribbean Airport of the Year by a publication that focuses on Caribbean travel. This award acknowledges our airport’s ongoing growth and development, our commitment to providing an exceptional passenger experience, and a further testament to our dedication to excellence.”