NEGRIL, Hanover — Minister of Transport and Mining Robert Montague says discussions are currently being held with two commercial airlines to utilise the Negril Aerodrome in Hanover.

The minister told reporters in St James recently that discussions are far advanced with the carriers who may utilise the facility.

“We are moving to do some work on the facility as is, because we are in an advance stage of discussion with two commercial airlines who may, and let me emphasise, may, be utilising that strip, some time in May,” stated the minister.

As a result of the possible development, efforts are being made to upgrade the facility.

Montague said the upgrade will include repairs to the electrical fixtures and plumbing.

“They will also be putting in a pilots’ lounge, because right now if you go there, any day, you see the pilots hanging about. They will be expanding the front, like a little waiting area, because the drivers, the JUTA and the JCAL drivers who service that airstrip and pick up people…… if the rain falls they get wet and if sun shines, they get burn,” said Montague.

He also disclosed that the aerodrome’s fire service will be returned.

The aerodrome fire service, which includes a fire truck and fire personnel, was decommissioned in 2014.

“It will be returned, and not fully in one sweep, but some fire-fighting equipment will be there,” he stressed.

The Negril Aerodrome is one of four domestic aerodromes slated to be renovated under a multimillion-dollar renovation project by the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ). The others include Tinson Pen in Kingston, Ken Jones in Portland and Lionel Denham in St Elizabeth.

The Ian Fleming International Airport in St Mary is also scheduled for major works.

Activities at the AAJ-operated Negril Aerodrome, were scaled-down in 2014 following a number of carriers terminating flights to the aerodrome, which predominantly serves the resort town.