Letter of the Day | Chaos at Sangster International airport

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I had the unfortunate experience of taking someone to Montego Bay Airport (MBJ) on Monday, January 1 around noon. Although I am aware that they are doing work to improve the airport I was not prepared for what we encountered which I will summarise briefly.

• There was traffic chaos, as this was basically a free-for-all as there were no personnel directing the traffic, no direction into lanes so one just barged and prayed that their vehicle did not get damaged.

• It was impossible to reach the departure drop-off area so passengers were forced to exit their vehicle and walk with their luggage while dogging traffic.

• Once inside the terminal there were minimal staff aiding travellers in locating their respective check-in areas.

• Once checked in then there were lanes that never seemed to end made with barriers that took the traveller to the immigration area. There were no personnel circulating and explaining to people that they are renovating, etc. My guest took close to 1.5 hours after check in to reach their departure gate.

• Then on reaching that departure concourse the air conditioning was not working.

• My guest and I listened without comment to the tourists and visitors unending complaints as to identify ourselves as Jamaicans would not have served any purpose because there were no excuses for what everyone was experiencing.

I accept that we must expand and improve MBJ, but why did we wait until the peak period to start and why was adequate planning not put in place? In my opinion this comes down to incompetence of the management team at MBJ and no understanding of the negative impact on Jamaica that their incompetence is having.

The parking area at MBJ is taking up huge space that could be better utilised, why not build a multi-level parking facility like other such airports around the world? This could be privatised so not requiring capital if that’s an issue.

The Ministry of Tourism is working hard to attract investors and visitors to our island while MBJ seems to be working equally hard to give them a reason not to return.

Someone needs to be held accountable and changes need to be implemented urgently as this is a crisis.

BRIAN PENGELLEY