Montego Bay Airport

MBJ (International terminal) is an airport that is always expanding and there is something new to see every time you visit. The main problem currently are the lines whether it be immigration customs or checkin. They have improved on the PA system and currently expanding and modernizing the terminal. This facility should be excellent and one of the best in the caribbean once completed. I would love to see more restaurants and improvement with the public display system technology. The air condition also needs improvements. It does not work the same throughout the entire terminal. The new eastern concourse is quite modern and efficient. The Domestic terminal serves it purpose. Quite a distance from the International terminal but the airlines that operate from there does provide free transit to and from the terminals. However there is rumours that the domestic terminal will be merged with the International terminal.

Recently I travelled through MBJ on vacation. I found parts of the airport extremely run-down and the heat inside the building is unbearable they should invest in a good air-conditioning system. On arrival we waited at passport control for over an hour standing there were but few desks and only a handful of staff. The international check- in area is very messy and dirty. Queues again were ridiculous! When reaching the end of the queue you are confronted by an official rushing you to a couple of fold-down tables where more official will then go through all your luggage in front of everyone then again you are pushed to a check-in desk. The international departures lounge is nice but hot things are over priced compared to outside. The new gate area is wonderful! Although its still boiling and there are very long walks with now moving walk ways.

Immigration processing at MBJ is not good. It can take over an hour to get through - almost as bad as Miami. On our last visit there were only 3 officers on duty and an uneven distribution of the feeder lines. We got funnelled to the worst one. The immigration officers do not make you feel welcome. No AC or fans were on. On the return leg we got to MBJ 3 hours before and check-in and immigration were a breeze (although not terribly friendly). We also got harassed by the red cap porter who did not think we had tipped enough for the 30 yards he had transported our luggage! The shops at MBJ are generally quite good but tend to close at 2200. The AC and fans were on in the departure lounge. Not good thinking by the marketing people there. Boarding was efficient. But MBJ needs to improve that airport's act and the attitude of its staff.

Parts of the airport look very worn and run down. Not at all what you might expect of an international airport. It's also very hot inside the airport and at the gates. We were fortunate to get through Customs and Immigaration in minutes on our arrival. On our departure we got through everything quickly until we were ready to board our plane. That's when airport security decided (or maybe this is policy) to hand check every single carry on. This process took almost an hour. Our carry on bags had already been checked by security so I'm not sure why they hand checked every bag at the gate but everyone was quite annoyed. The duty free shopping section of the airport is really nice clean and there are plenty of stores to chose from. This part of the airport was cooler also. Mobay airport needs much updating but it seems to run pretty smoothly even though most of the employees aren't overly friendly or helpful.

MBJ or Sangster AIrport has grown from an old army airfield in WWII to a reasonable airport for a developing country. I started flying there when it was one runway and a quonset hut for a terminal. The airport operation is contracted out to a Canadian Airport Authority (Vancouver?). Current construction of a new building at the east end will alleviate most complaints (due 2006). Problem generally is the impatient intolerant pax - this airport is equivilant to a regional airport in size and traffic volume. To expect service levels to equal Heathrow or other non-american airports is unrealistic. If one is realistic & winds down to island time/speed it is a pleasant experience - people watching is VERY interesting here- I have seen more people make fools of themselves that at any other airport.. I have always found parking spots in the parking lot & it is an easy walk from their to the check-in counters. The current waiting lounge is indeed small but is more friendly that the vast majority of N American facilities. My favourite feature - you dont have to take a bus down the tarmac to even get to the plane or even walk miles to it. The main cause for consternation is from americans who have to go through extensive/excessive? security screening as imposed by their own govt. I have seen lines from AA etc out the door due to this. By now anyone bound for a american airport should have gotten accustomed to this and altered their check in times accordingly. Now that Air Jamaica is no longer Air Sandals indeed there have been changes but it is still a 'friendly' airline and they still represent the majority of check-in counters. And for arriving pax the flight path in (generally from the west) provided some dramatic views of this island nation.

What a terrible experience? Waited for 3 1/2 hours with my pregnant wife and 2 year old child to get through immigration upon arriving there 2/19/05. Rumor was there was a work slow down in protest of the new owners of Air Jamaica (Jamaican Gov't) For a country that owes approx. 70% of it's GDP to tourism you'd think they would have a few intelligent people there to maintain standards of quality for the visitors that spend several thousand dollars coming to the country. I had a great stay but a terrible experience coming AND going. Not sure if I'll ever go back.

The MBJ I found in June 2004 was old tired and poorly staffed. What staff there were clearly were not motivated and did not give a damn about the passengers. The facilities were overcrowded and poor or non existent signing did not help The staff should be told that shouting louder at people who clearly do not understand English is not good service and that mannerisms teeth sucking and rude comments can clearly be understood as part of "the international language" Immigration was not much better. Not an awe inspiring experience and best avoided.

The Facilities are quite nice and beautiful. I am looking forward to the completion of the new 12-gate concourse and the new terminal. However I am hoping that the airport will become very profitable and viable.