LICENSED firearm holders are being reminded by the head of security at Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) that there is an authorisation process to leave the island with legal weapons and ammunition.

Aviation Security Manager Juvania Daley issued the caution at a forum on Thursday as she revealed that the majority of ammunition finds at NMIA are made at the pre-boarding screening areas, in the luggage of licensed firearm holders.

“At the airport we are regarded as a restricted area and so weapons of any form, or parts thereof, are not allowed within the restricted area of the airport,” Daley told individuals attending the bi-annual airport forum hosted by NMIA’s operators, PAC Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL), at Jamaica Pegasus hotel in St Andrew.

“Most of these instances we find is from a bag or something belonging to a licensed firearm holder. And while you are licensed to carry your weapon within Jamaica, the airport is a restricted zone and so unless you have the proper authorisation from the Ministry of National Security, Customs, et cetera, then it is not allowed— and, of course, it triggers a response which delays you from travelling because the police have to get involved, you have to go down to the station, and of course you can be fined,” Daley emphasised.

According to Daley, for the period January to April 2024 there was a total of 16 ammunition finds at NMIA’s pre-boarding screening checkpoint. However, for the same period this year the number of finds have been reduced to 10.

“But, of course, we are working to consistently reduce the amount of finds at the pre-boarding screening area. We have been sending out tips on our social media platforms; [and] we are hoping to work with the Firearm Licensing Authority to get some restricted signs posted in the ticketing area so we can bring more awareness to these types of issues that we have,” she said.

In the meantime, Daley reminded that items such as scissors, knives, and box cutters also cannot be allowed in passengers’ carry-on bags because of the risks posed.

“So we ask that before you travel, check your carry-on to ensure you don’t have any of these prohibited items in your luggage,” she said.

Daley also said PACKAL has acquired six new X-ray machines, at a cost of US$619 million, to improve security at the screening areas.

“The bags will be screened faster because the images are now going to be in 3D, so it will make our process quicker,” she added, while at the same time encouraging travellers to take charge of their luggage to reduce the risks posed by leaving them unattended.

“Unattended items [is] one of our most common situations at the airport. When a bag, item, or package of any sort is left unattended it triggers a security response. That response now takes into consideration human resources, physical resources, and it has the potential to not only delay flights but also has the potential to negatively impact airport operations on a whole,” she stated.