MONTEGO BAY, St James – Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) President Robin Russell is calling on the Government to fast-track the passing of legislation that will pave the way for paperless access to the country’s ports of entry. He sees this as a solution to lengthy delays that have recently been plaguing the immigration hall at Sangster International Airport in St James.

“It is very important that we get the C5 form electronically done as soon as possible because it is the quickest short-term fix to the congestion in the airport. So I am really encouraging the Government to pass the laws to make this happen” Russell told the Jamaica Observer in a recent interview.

After a tour of the airport’s ongoing US$70-million runway expansion project last week, Prime Minister Andrew Holness told journalists that the hope is to go paperless soon.

“We are making great investments in integrating technology in the immigration process and hopefully, very soon, we will be able to go totally paperless and give you a seamless experience in coming through the airport,” he said, adding that work on the airport is a strategic investment in nation-building.

Aspects of a planned expansion were placed on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Russell, the plans were again presented at a recent stakeholders meeting attended by representatives from MBJ Airports Limited, which operates Sangster International Airport; Jamaica Customs Agency; Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency; air traffic controllers; Airports Authority of Jamaica; and Petrojam Limited.

In addition to adding 400 metres to the runway, work will include installation of supporting infrastructure. Sections of road will be rerouted; there are plans to close the gas station now at the entrance of the airport, and there will be new utilities laid underground. Work will also include measures to protect the shoreline and extend the safety zone.

Recent delays in processing incoming passengers have been blamed on a robust tourism sector, compounded by the fact that the 76-year-old airport is outdated.

“Right now we are seeing [a] significant bottleneck in receiving passengers because there are some unique issues with this airport because of the travel times and the narrow window for travel times. But generally, the facility here is outdated and well below the requirements on the necessary capacity,” Prime Minister Holness noted during the tour.

Noting the unexpectedly rapid recovery of the global tourism sector after disruptions caused at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Russell said he welcomed the move to get the airport ready to meet growing demand.

“We are happy to see that the funds are now being committed for some kind of improvements to carry the plans through because as the hotel sector continues to grow, we are going to need the space,” he said, pointing out that 5,000 rooms will be added to the island’s tourism landscape within the next two to three years.