ST JAMES, Jamaica – The runway at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay has reopened after a closure Thursday which caused the cancellation of at least one flight and the diversion of several others.

The reopening of the runway was announced over the intercom at the airport about 3pm.

There were chaotic scenes at the airport due to the closure, with passengers complaining about being inconvenienced as a result.

READ: Flight cancellation, diversions amid SIA runway closure

Among those affected were members of Jamaica’s history-making Reggae Girlz who were due to arrive at the airport at 1pm on a United Airlines flight from Newark Airport in the United States. However, the flight was cancelled and they are now scheduled to depart on Friday at 6 am.

READ: Reggae Girlz among passengers delayed due to runway closure at Sangster International Airport

Mark Hart, chairman of the Jamaica Airport Authority (AAJ) told OBSERVER ONLINE earlier Thursday that preliminary reports indicate that the temporary closure stemmed from an equipment issue that occurred during runway extension work which was being carried out overnight.

However, the issue was not resolved on the runway in time for use Thursday morning.