MBJ Airports, the operator of Sangster International Airport (MBJ), celebrated its 22nd anniversary of running Jamaica’s top tourism gateway last month. At the same time, the company said it was charting a future that would include a “fully digital traveler experience.”

Shane Munroe, MBJ’s CEO, said: “Our vision integrates arrivals and departures through a single biometric identity, enabling passengers to move seamlessly through the airport without the need to repeatedly verify their information. This also includes integration with third parties.”

Discussions on full biometric integration are advanced, and the technology will join other major smart solutions already being rolled out at MBJ, one of the busiest gateways in the Caribbean.

Munroe said: “Airports are the first and last impression of the destination. Our advanced biometric systems and monitoring technologies are transforming the passenger journey while keeping pace with global digital innovations in aviation.” The CEO said that travelers can now use biometric verification on arrival at the passport and immigration e-gates.

Passengers can also digitally complete forms, go through an e-gate using biometrics, and exit immigration without interacting with an immigration officer. “It’s the same approach that will be taken for departures to allow seamless movement through check-in, security, and boarding,” said Munroe.

MBJ has already implemented active passenger engagement technologies, including self-service check-in kiosks equipped with biometric capabilities; interactive wayfinding with QR code functionality; environmental sensors that automatically optimize terminal comfort; advanced queue management utilizing Bluetooth and Wi-Fi sensors; and AI-powered analytics to support operational decision-making.

Physical & Infrastructure Improvements

A well as digital advances, MBJ is moving forward with terminal upgrades. “Many people don't remember what the airport looked like in 2003, but we built an entirely new East Concourse wing, followed by a significant expansion to the central area in 2019, with more work being done during the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated Munroe. The retail offer was also improved.

Among notable recent developments is the dedicated Air-Sea Lounge, enhancing MBJ’s position as a home port for cruise ships. Cruise passengers beginning their journey in Montego Bay arrive by air at the terminal and transition to their ships at Freeport via airside shuttle buses without having to go through lengthy immigration and customs processes.

“With our dedicated Air-Sea Lounge, we are strengthening Jamaica’s position as a top cruise destination,” said Munroe. “We are now in the next development phase, which includes expanding the check-in area, parking facilities, outbound security, the immigration hall, and the East Concourse to further improve capacity and the passenger experience.”

Route Development

With MBJ welcoming over 70% of Jamaica’s 1.7 million annual visitors, the airport is ensuring its next 22 years will ensure it retains, or enhances, that share including via route development. Today, World2Fly—the airline of World2Meet, the travel division of the Iberostar Group—made history with its inaugural direct flight from Lisbon to MBJ, establishing the first-ever non-stop connection from Portugal.

The 10-hour route will bring up to 388 Portuguese travelers to Jamaica once a week, every Wednesday until October 1, 2025. The flights are offered as part of a holiday program from tour operator Newblue, a business of World2Meet.

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, said: “This historic flight marks a new chapter in the relationship with Portugal. We look forward to welcoming more than 6,000 visitors from continental Europe through this partnership, and we are excited about the potential to further expand this collaboration in the coming years.”

At the Airports Authority of Jamaica, President and CEO Audley Deidrick said that the new route “demonstrates the continued confidence international carriers have in Jamaica’s aviation infrastructure” and that it aligns with a vision to position Jamaica as the key Caribbean aviation hub.