The Ian Fleming International Airport in St Mary, already 2.5 times over budget, made contractors some $80 million in 2010.

The relatively small aerodrome turned international airport recorded a slew of contracts in 2010 including those to Synergy Engineering Electrical Equipment at $23.9 million for lighting; LS Duhaney at $19 million for the lighting and cable installation; and Island Woods at a $6.7 million contract for the runway.

There were other contractors including Kong’s Hardware, Supply Expediters, Stationer & Office and Rapid True Value which received works for lesser amounts at the airport originally slated for completion in 2009.

“Yes there were overruns,” head of communication at the ministry of Transport Reginald Allen told the Business Observer. He then directed the Business Observer to the Airport Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) overseeing the project. However queries sent a week ago to the AAJ went unanswered up to press.

The main operational upgrade resulted in the 60 per cent lengthening of the runway to 4800 feet, along with lighting and navigational aids to facilitate night flight.

In addition to the price tag some Jamaicans were vexed that government named the airport after UK born author Fleming, who wrote the famed James Bond novels. Residents wanted a Jamaican to bear the name of the airport. In response earlier this month the airport’s main sign was vandalised with black paint.

The aerodrome upgrade, originally budgeted for $107 million was revised last February to $250 million. The AAJ was expected to fund the bulk of the upgrade while $107 million would come from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF). Checks by the Observer revealed that no contracts were issued by the TEF in 2010 related to that project.

The Government in March 2009 shelved plans for a new international airport for eastern, Jamaica opting instead to expand and upgrade the Boscobel aerodrome. It expects to attract operators of privately owned jets to the north coast, enhancing the tourism industry. The facility will allow private jet owners to land directly at the Boscobel Aerodrome, obviating the the two main international airports.