13 relife flights to arrive in Jamaica today

All three international airports are now open for relief flights with supplies, to assist in Jamaica's post Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts.

Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Minister, Honorable Daryl Vaz, made the announcement on Thursday (October 30) during a special press briefing held at Jamaica House.

Vaz said that nine flights will arrive at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and two at the Ian Fleming International Airport in St Mary.

"We also expect two into Montego Bay (Sangster International Airport) this afternoon with the operators of the airport, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP), sending from Mexico two cargo jets with supplies and also technical support for the airport," he said.

The Minister also informed that commercial flights have resumed at the Norman Manley International Airport.

"We have 10 flights in and out of Jamaica today," he said.

Vaz said these include flights from Cayman Airways, Aerojet, American Airlines, Caribbean Airlines, Copa Airlines, Air Canada, and Jet Blue.

"Norman Manley is back up for all intents and purposes and will continue. I am expecting that Ian Fleming will also accommodate flights today for relief and passenger flights, and the Montego Bay Airport is receiving relief, and I am expecting to announce in a matter of hours the [limited] commercial operations to start tomorrow," he said.

Due to roof and flood damage sustained during the passage of the hurricane at the Sangster International Airport, two terminals with gates one to seven will be taken out of service.

Gates eight to 19 will be used in the interim.

"[These] should be more than sufficient based on the fact that we don't expect a large influx of flights outside of relief and obviously limited flights to come into Jamaica," Vaz said.

Meanwhile, regular aerodromes, which have sustained some damage, will also be reopened.

- JIS

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