KINGSTON, Jamaica — As Hurricane Melissa finally begins to move away from the island, Transport Minister Daryl Vaz says the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) could be ready to handle emergency relief flights as early as Thursday.
The update came Tuesday during a press briefing at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), where officials outlined next steps in the country’s recovery efforts.
“The Impact Was Not Extensive”
Minister Vaz said the timeline is based on consultations with PAC Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL) — which operates NMIA — and the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA).
“The assumption is that the system will leave Jamaica by the end of today, Tuesday,” Vaz said. “The impact on the Norman Manley International Airport is not extensive.”
He added that both PACKAL and the JCAA will spend Wednesday inspecting and cleaning up the airport, restoring equipment that had been temporarily shut down to protect it during the storm.
“They will use tomorrow to inspect, clean up, and restore test equipment to accommodate flights,” he confirmed.
Montego Bay Still Uncertain
While Kingston’s main airport appears to have avoided major damage, the situation remains less clear at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.
“We are not sure what will happen in Montego Bay… but we know the hurricane could have potential disabling impact for that airport,” Vaz said.
Backup Plans in Place
As part of contingency planning, authorities are also considering Ian Fleming International Airport in St. Mary as a secondary access point for certain aircraft if needed.
“We can get into Ian Fleming with certain types of aircraft, and that will help us significantly based on the distance between Ian Fleming and Montego Bay,” Vaz explained.
The Takeaway
With Hurricane Melissa’s winds easing and skies beginning to clear, Jamaica’s air transport system is cautiously preparing to reopen — starting with Kingston.
If all goes according to plan, relief and emergency flights could land in the capital within 48 hours, marking a critical step in the country’s post-storm recovery.
