New flights, 2026 expansion underscore strong airlift to Jamaica, says MBJ CEO
Published:Monday | December 8, 2025 | 12:06 AMJanet Silvera/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Jamaica is set to welcome a wave of new international flights this winter and into 2026, a clear signal that global confidence in the island’s tourism product remains strong despite the disruption caused by Hurricane Melissa.
That was the assurance from Shane Munroe, CEO of MBJ Airports Limited, who addressed more than 250 travel advisers at the Sandals ‘Back to Jamaica’ Town Hall at Sandals Dunn’s River in St Ann on Friday morning.
Munroe announced that multiple new routes are launching this month alone, even as the island continues its recovery. Edelweiss has introduced its first A350 service direct from Zurich; WestJet began weekly flights from Quebec on Saturday; and both Wingo and Flair Airlines will launch new services on December 18, from Bogotá in Colombia and Toronto, Canada, respectively.
“In the same month as a major hurricane recovery, we are launching new flights. That is confidence. That is the demand for brand Jamaica,” Munroe told the group.
Munroe also revealed a preview of next year’s expansion, with Breeze Airways set to add two strategic US gateways: Tampa in February 2026 and Raleigh, North Carolina in March 2026.
“These markets feed directly into our resort corridors,” he said.
“They are designed to strengthen Jamaica’s accessibility and our partners’ ability to sell this destination.”
Earlier this year, the airport added Avelo, World2Fly from Portugal, and LIAT 2020 from Antigua, moves that further diversify Jamaica’s geographic reach.
The CEO underscored that Jamaica has retained the same number of airlines and the same number of routes, although some frequencies temporarily dipped following Hurricane Melissa. MBJ currently hosts 29 airlines connecting Jamaica to 48 international destinations, maintaining its position as the island’s primary gateway and the Caribbean’s Leading Airport for 17 consecutive years.
“If someone asks about Jamaica’s connectivity, you can say confidently: yes, you can get there and yes, it will be smooth,” Munroe told the travel advisers from the US and Canada.
Munroe noted that despite the storm’s intensity, Sangster International Airport reopened its runway for relief flights within 48 hours. The terminal is fully operational, with the airport’s expansion programme continuing to add more space, amenities, and state-of-the-art biometric e-gates to enhance arrival times.
Inside the terminal, Club MoBay is fully open, new retail stores offering authentic Jamaican craft have come on stream, and the Bob Marley One Love Restaurant continues to serve as a cultural landmark for visitors departing the island.
Munroe closed by reminding the travel advisers, who were invited by Sandals to experience the country’s tourism sector’s undeniable return to normalcy, that Jamaica’s airlift remains secure and that the country’s aviation sector is moving forward with purpose.
“Air travel and connectivity remain strong. The airport is open. You can still connect from Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, South America, or Europe,” he said. “Jamaica didn’t just survive; we are building back stronger. And our welcome this winter season is warmer than ever.”
His comments were made on the eve of Sandals official reopening of five of its eight Jamaican resorts, namely, Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Ochi Beach Resort, Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals Negril and Beaches Negril.