Mark Titus, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Chairman of the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), Dennis Morrison, says the closure of the Dragon Bay Hotel in Portland contributed to the Government's decision not to rehabilitate the Ken Jones Aerodrome located in the parish.

"We need to understand that the closure of the Dragon Bay Hotel in the parish contributed significantly to the lack of activity at the airstrip," he explained.

"We did not close operations until this hotel, which brought most of the business to the airstrip, closed its doors."

Mr. Morrison, who is also chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), was speaking during an interview with The Gleaner at the official opening of the new customs and arrival hall at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay on Thursday.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller was the keynote speaker at the ceremony for the new wing, which is part of MBJ Airport Limited's US$40 million expansion exercise.

Pointing out that the critical infrastructure for that part of the island was the road network, Mr. Morrison stated that he expects that the completion of Highway 2000 from Ocho Rios to Port Antonio will boost tourism activities there.

Talk of reopening

The Sandals group, headed by Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, owns the Dragon Bay property and interest has been expressed to refurbish and reopen for business, as soon as the road network is rehabilitated. Hundreds of workers have been affected by its closure.

The AAJ chairman told The Gleaner that the plans for the development of the Vernamfield airstrip in South Clarendon are well advanced.