KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s transportation network has achieved an extraordinary recovery milestone following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, according to Transport Minister Daryl Vaz. The comprehensive restoration of operations across aviation, maritime, and energy infrastructure signals a robust response to the natural disaster.
During a post-Cabinet briefing at Jamaica House, Minister Vaz revealed that despite varying degrees of storm damage, all airports under the Airports Authority of Jamaica’s management have resumed normal operations. The recovery trajectory has been particularly impressive at Sangster International Airport in St. James, which endured the most severe hurricane damage. Relief operations commenced on October 30, with commercial flights reinstated by November 1—though complete restoration is projected to continue through February-March 2026.
In contrast, Norman Manley International Airport (Kingston), Ian Fleming International Airport (St. Mary), and domestic aerodromes experienced minimal disruption, achieving full operational status by October 30. The aviation sector’s performance metrics are particularly noteworthy: between October 29 and December 2, Jamaica processed over 3,000 flights, representing a 26% surge in activity within a mere two-week period.
The relief operation statistics underscore the scale of the achievement: 935 dedicated relief flights and more than 310 helicopter missions facilitated critical evacuations, medical transportation, and essential supply deliveries. Minister Vaz emphasized that all major airports were restored within 24-48 hours—significantly outperforming the 72-hour target. The sector has processed 212 expedited relief authorizations and moved approximately 5,000-6,000 metric tonnes of relief cargo.
Maritime operations have similarly adapted to support recovery efforts. Port communities implemented extended Saturday operations from November 15 through December 13, while Kingston Wharves expanded weekday gate operations until 6:00 PM through December 23. Additional warehouse openings on November 29, December 6, 13, and 20 further demonstrate the comprehensive approach to managing peak season volumes alongside hurricane relief shipments.
The energy sector remains stable, with Petrojam reporting secure fuel supplies. Since October 30, over 3,600 tankers have been loaded at Kingston facilities, while Montego Bay’s loading operations have normalized. Minister Vaz confirmed that national fuel inventories remain within the internationally accepted comfort range of 2-3 weeks’ supply, with regular shipments resuming following the November 30 completion of refinery maintenance.
This multifaceted recovery operation positions Jamaica’s transport infrastructure as a critical enabler of national rehabilitation efforts following Hurricane Melissa’s passage.