Sir Donald Sangster International Airport

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Sangster International Airport
IATA: MBJ - ICAO: MKJS
Summary
Airport type public
Operator Jamaican government
Serves Montego Bay
Elevation AMSL 4 ft (1 m)
Coordinates 18°30′13″N, 77°54′48″W
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
07/25 8,735 2,662 Asphalt

Sir Donald Sangster International Airport (IATA: MBJ, ICAO: MKJS) is an international airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and is one of the largest and busiest airports in the Caribbean. Sangster is often referred to as the gateway to the Caribbean. It serves as the most popular airport for tourists visiting the north coast of Jamaica. MBJ is currently the busier of Jamaica's two main airports, the other being Norman Manley International Airport located in the capital city of Kingston.


[edit] History

The Sir Donald Sangster International Airport or Sangster International Airport for short, in Montego Bay, St. James, has made significant strides over the years taking it to heights comparable with any international airport globally. However, the development of the airport did not happen overnight, but 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 in fact, 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 we know it today, was 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, was announced in July of 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 5.6 million passengers per annum in 2004.

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 10,000 ft. runway to accommodate large aircraft traffic.

[edit] Structure and Function

The Sangster International Airport has one terminal for international flights as well as a terminal for domestic travel. The terminal currently serves the following airlines:

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 18°30′N, 77°55′W

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