ST JAMES, Jamaica- Security Minister Dr Horace Chang was impressed with the free flow of passengers who passed through immigration and customs from the over 60 flights that landed at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James on Saturday.

Chang, who is also deputy prime minister, visited the facility for the second consecutive Saturday to directly observe the proceedings at customs and immigration.

“I am pleased that 64 flights came in and it went smoothly,” Chang told Observer Online.

“There were Jamaicans there with goods to declare but they were walking through immigration and customs like a Sunday morning walk,” he added.

He said the only glitch he noticed while at the airport on Saturday was a slight delay at the carousel, which he said, was understandable because it was raining.

He expressed confidence that after the commissioning of the e-Gates that have been installed at the airport, there will even be a speedier movement of passengers through immigration and customs.

eGates are basically automated passport control systems that use biometric technology to authenticate the identity of passengers.

Six eGates are now installed at Sangster International Airport.

READ: eGates being tested at Sangster International Airport today

The gates, which are a feature at many airports worldwide, scan the passport and take a photo of the passenger’s face, which is then compared to the digital image stored in the passport’s microchip.

They serve as an alternative to using desks staffed by immigration officers, thereby allowing passengers to avoid queues and get through passport control much faster.

Chang indicated that before the end of the year airline passengers will have access to 100 immigration kiosks, moving up from 80, thus easing congestion in the arrival halls.