KINGSTON, Jamaica — Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) will implement a precisely timed runway closure this Thursday evening to advance its landmark $11.5 billion (US$72 million) infrastructure modernization initiative. The temporary shutdown, scheduled from 7:00 pm on November 27, 2025, through 4:00 am the following morning, enables critical safety enhancements including runway threshold relocation and electrical system upgrades.
Airport operator PAC Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL) confirmed the maintenance window was strategically selected following coordination with aviation stakeholders, with no passenger flights affected during the nine-hour closure. The airport will suspend operations after the last scheduled flight and resume normal service upon work completion.
The nighttime work constitutes a pivotal phase in the Runway End Safety Area (RESA) Implementation Project, which will ultimately extend the runway by 300 meters to meet international safety standards. While increased ground activity may be visible to nearby communities, PACKAL emphasizes the project remains on schedule for July 2027 completion.
This infrastructure investment represents the most significant safety enhancement in NMIA’s history, aligning with Jamaica’s Civil Aviation Act of 2012 and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations. The expanded safety areas will provide additional buffer zones for aircraft operations and emergency scenarios, substantially elevating the airport’s safety protocols.