KINGSTON, Jamaica — The operators of the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) have launched the infrastructure phase of their comprehensive transformation programme, with more than US$161 million in planned upgrades to safety systems, passenger facilities and energy infrastructure.

The investment marks a new stage in the airport’s five-year redevelopment plan, first announced in October 2024, and is being funded by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), PAC Kingston Airport Limited’s (PACKAL) parent company.

The largest investment is the Runway End Safety Area (RESA) project, which began in 2024 and is expected to conclude by July 2027. With a cost of approximately US$72 million, the initiative will extend NMIA’s runway by 300 metres to provide additional safety areas at both ends. The project aims to improve aircraft operations and emergency response capabilities and represents the most significant investment to date in the airport’s safety infrastructure.

“This comprehensive implementation of our transformation plan demonstrates our unwavering commitment to safety and passenger experience,” said Sitara English-Byfield, chief executive officer (CEO) of PACKAL. “While we’ve achieved significant milestones in our first five years, the best is yet to come.  The RESA project exemplifies our three-pillar approach of prioritising safety while building the world-class facilities that support Kingston’s, and by extension, Jamaica’s economic growth.”

Additional critical safety infrastructure projects being undertaken by PACKAL include apron slab rehabilitation, taxiway rehabilitation, phase two of its solar energy expansion, departure lounge upgrades, and people movers upgrades.

The airport’s current active projects include the modernisation of its restrooms and several terminal enhancement activities.