Sangster International Airport (SIA) is undergoing a major digital transformation as MBJ Airports Limited celebrates its 22nd anniversary as the airport’s operator. The company is advancing discussions on biometric integration to create a seamless travel experience, allowing passengers to move through arrivals and departures with a single biometric identity.

CEO Shane Munroe emphasized that the digital transformation accelerated due to lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, stating, “Airports serve as gateways and are the first and last impression of the destination. Our implementation of these advanced biometric systems monitoring technologies is transforming the passenger journey while keeping pace with global digital innovations in aviation.”

Currently, biometric verification is available at Passport, Immigration, and Citizenship Agency (PICA) eGates for arriving passengers, with plans to extend the technology to departures, covering check-in, security, and boarding. Additionally, MBJ has deployed various smart solutions, including self-service kiosks, QR code-enabled wayfinding, environmental sensors, queue management systems, and AI-powered operational analytics.

Beyond digital innovations, the airport has also seen major infrastructural developments, including the expansion of the East Concourse and a dedicated Air-Sea Lounge, which enhances SIA’s function as a home port for cruise ships. Munroe highlighted the airport’s unique advantage, saying, “Cruise passengers beginning their journey in Montego Bay arrive by air at our terminal, where they experience a seamless transition.”

A returning visitor from New York praised the upgrades, noting, “The airport is beautiful! I mean, the people have always been amazing, but this time around was a little bit different because there’s a certain feeling in the air of thankfulness, of gratefulness.” She also appreciated the smoother security experience enabled by digital check-in processes.

Looking ahead, MBJ is committed to expanding key areas, including check-in, parking, outbound security, and immigration, to further enhance passenger capacity and experience. Munroe expressed his enthusiasm for the future, stating, “Our goal is to deliver a world-class facility that serves Jamaica’s travel and tourism industry for decades to come.”

This evolution positions SIA as a leader in airport modernization, ensuring a more efficient and seamless experience for travelers while keeping Jamaica at the forefront of global aviation advancements.

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