KINGSTON, Jamaica — Air travel through Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) and Sangster International Airport (SIA) declined in January, a function of the disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Concession operator Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.A.B de C.V reported late Thursday that SIA processed 284,200 passengers in January, a 37.7 per cent fall compared to the 456,200 passengers in January 2025. However, this was an improvement to the 262,200 passengers processed in December 2025 at the country’s busiest airport.

NMIA had a 6.9 per cent decline in traffic, processing 155,500 passengers compared to the 167,000 passengers in January 2025

The decline in passenger traffic at Sangster International reflects the continued work by several hotels to restore their operations to normalcy. That situation is compounded by the progressive work being done to bring utility services back online and clear roadways to key town centres.

According to the Jamaica Tourist Board’s Visit Jamaica page, there are 23 hotels which remain closed to later dates in 2026.The two Grand Decameron hotels are scheduled to reopen by March 1, three Sandals hotels will reopen by May 30, the two Royalton hotels by August 25 and another two hotels by September 15 and eight Hyatt properties by November 1. The Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica is scheduled to reopen on December 1.

Princess Senses the Mangrove reopened on February 1 and has a special opening offer which allows up to 60 per cent off bookings for February 2026 to October 2027. This booking window ends on February 8. The Princess Grand Jamaica is scheduled to reopen by March 1.

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett told nearly 100 travel advisors and other industry stakeholders last Saturday that Jamaica is on track to have a good winter tourism season. That was at a welcome dinner held at the RIU Montego Bay Resort in St James.

Princess Sense The Mangrove