MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – With all indications pointing to another bumper winter tourist season, ten new automated immigration kiosks were commissioned on Thursday, Dec. 11th at the Sangster International Airport (SIA) to speed up processing time for passengers.
This brings to 15 the number of kiosks installed at both international airports, with funding provided by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF). Five kiosks were commissioned at the Norman Manley International Airport two weeks ago.
Use of the automated kiosks is expected to reduce the processing time of a passenger to less than a minute and will benefit both locals and visitors alike. It captures both video and still images and is fully integrated into the local border control system.
On an annual basis the SIA processes more than three million travellers, the majority of whom visit during the busy winter tourist season.
Speaking at the official launch event, Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, said, “this is just one of the positive results of a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment and the Ministry of National Security.”
Collaboration between both Ministries and other public and private sector partners led to the establishment of the Enhancing Airport Services Delivery Taskforce.
Its purpose is to find ways to enhance the airport experience by reducing congestion in Immigration and Customs during peak periods, facilitating visa waivers and implementing computerized immigration processes.
The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) has been getting priority attention to boost its efficiency through training and the use of modern technology.
Minister McNeill said the introduction of the automated immigration kiosks was the latest step in an overall plan, noting that, “fortuitously, this positive step comes just days before we begin what promises to be a very successful winter tourist season.”
The TEF has already contributed over $300 million Jamaican dollars to improvements at the airports and an additional $200 million has been earmarked to fund further improvements over the next two years. “This augurs well for destination Jamaica as we strive to ensure that the first and last impression our visitors have of our island is as pleasant and memorable as possible,” said Minister McNeill.
He noted, however, “we still have a long way to go to reach our ultimate goal as some passengers are still experiencing long delays on days when the passenger load is high.”
He maintained that “we will continue to work hard to find solutions, hopefully in the not-too-distant future as we ensure that the heavy financial investments we are making will provide good returns. We know we can do it with the determination and continued cooperation of everyone involved.”
Chief Executive Officer of PICA, Jennifer McDonald, welcomed the support and provided testimonials from passengers lauding the implementation of the system.
A Jamaican Professor expressed “(I must say) how proud I was to use the kiosks and I am so proud that I am Jamaican; I called all my children and told them.”
Another testimonial said, “it was easier to use than other kiosks I’ve used elsewhere” while an executive of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) commented, “I returned from MBJ yesterday and I just wanted to send you this short note to say how pleased I was to see the automated (immigration) kiosks in use for passport holders at Sangster.”
Technical support for the kiosks has been provided by SITA, the international company that has been providing software solutions to the aviation industry for over 60 years.
