As Hurricane Melissa tore across Jamaica, it didn’t just upend daily life, it brought travel and logistics to a complete halt. At the center of this chaos is Montego Bay Airport, officially known as Sangster International Airport, the island’s busiest tourism hub. Located on the northwestern coast and usually buzzing with international travelers heading to Negril, Ocho Rios, or the resorts of Montego Bay itself, this gateway now sits in silence.
From the moment Jamaica was placed under a hurricane warning, MBJ Airports Ltd suspended all operations at Montego Bay Airport. The closure was part of a full-scale emergency protocol, done to protect both people and infrastructure. In the days since Hurricane Melissa made its catastrophic landfall, the runway remains empty. The terminal, normally packed with sunburned tourists queuing for jerk chicken or duty-free rum, is now locked down, waiting for a green light that hasn’t come.
What’s happening at Montego Bay Airport right now?
Let’s cut through the noise. Montego Bay Airport is closed. No commercial flights are running. There’s no confirmed reopening date yet. This isn’t just about water on the tarmac or a few downed trees. We’re looking at a full post-storm safety assessment, one that includes checking power lines, radar systems, runway friction, lighting, ATC comms, fuel tanks, ground access, and terminal structural integrity. That takes time.
The Jamaican government, through the Ministry of Transport and the Jamaica Information Service, has confirmed that both Montego Bay Airport and Norman Manley International in Kingston remain offline. Officials visited MBJ in person and described “significant damage” to parts of the facility. That word matters. It signals a longer runway to restart, especially since terminal and equipment damage can delay not just flights but staffing, logistics, and even fuel delivery.
For travelers holding tickets to or from Montego Bay Airport this week, things are in limbo. Major airlines like Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and Air Transat have listed cancellations and posted official waivers for affected passengers. Some are offering flexible rebooking options without penalty. If you’re booked anytime soon, don’t assume your plane will take off. Check your airline’s travel alert page, not just the airport status.
When will Montego Bay Airport reopen?
There’s no fixed date yet, but we can sketch out the general playbook based on how Caribbean airports typically bounce back after a major hurricane. First, engineers and emergency response teams inspect the runway for debris, water damage, or cracks. They test lighting, wind sensors, and comms. Then they evaluate nav aids like ILS or PAPI systems. Only when all those pass can any flights even be considered.
Next, the fuel systems need to be safe. Crews will check underground tanks, hydrant pressure, and storage capacity. Fuel is critical not just for aircraft but for generators and equipment on the ground. If the fuel farm is compromised, everything stalls.
Finally, terminal integrity matters. A cracked roof, broken AC units, shattered windows, or damaged baggage systems all hold back commercial service. Even if the runway is clean, the airport can’t function without check-in counters, customs booths, or working bathrooms. The reports from MBJ suggest some areas of the terminal were damaged, although we don’t yet have visuals.
Once those hurdles are cleared, the first movements are typically relief flights or special charters. Commercial flights will return gradually, likely starting during daylight hours only. Airlines will announce these services once they have confirmed slots and staff. If you see your flight go from “Cancelled” to “Scheduled” again on the airline app, that’s your green signal. Until then, treat everything as fluid.
Why Montego Bay Airport matters more than ever now
Montego Bay Airport is not just a terminal. It’s a lifeline. It connects Jamaica’s north coast with the U.S., Canada, and Europe. It handles around five million passengers a year, making it a heavyweight in the Caribbean travel scene. As of 2024, the airport was wrapping up a major expansion to boost its capacity and improve flow. That might help in future seasons, but right now, even the best infrastructure needs power, personnel, and clearance before it can restart.
Its role becomes even more critical post-hurricane. This is where aid supplies can come in. Where stranded tourists might be evacuated. Where cargo for supermarkets and hospitals gets processed. A delay in reopening impacts not just vacations, but how fast communities recover.
What adds urgency is how hard western Jamaica was hit. Towns near the airport like Montego Bay, Lucea, and even up toward Negril faced structural damage, flooding, and widespread power outages. Roads leading to the airport are still being cleared. Utilities crews are prioritizing the grid around transport hubs like MBJ, but it’s a tough job. The closer Montego Bay Airport gets to full functionality, the faster the whole region can stabilize.
What should you do now if you’re affected?
If you were due to land or depart from Montego Bay Airport this week, here’s what to do:
- Check your airline’s official page for waivers or new policies. Delta, Virgin Atlantic Holidays, and Air Transat have active alerts. Don’t trust random booking sites or screenshots on social media. Go straight to the source.
- Screenshot the MBJ closure notice and your flight cancellation, especially with date stamps. These help for travel insurance claims or rebooking later.
- Don’t try to reroute via Kingston unless NMIA has officially reopened. Some roads between Kingston and Montego Bay remain hazardous. You don’t want to get stuck halfway with no working hotel.
- If you’re already in Jamaica, talk to your hotel concierge or local operator. They usually receive group communications from airlines or embassies ahead of the general public.
- Use Wi-Fi when possible, and conserve battery and data. Many areas in the west are dealing with blackouts and cell tower damage.
If you’re managing relief flights or private charters, be aware that special permits and airspace coordination will be required. Clearance through MBJ’s emergency ops center or the Civil Aviation Authority may be needed, and that’s assuming the runway gets cleared for even limited use.
The bottom line
Montego Bay Airport is down but not out. After Hurricane Melissa, recovery is going to take some time, but the focus is clear: secure the facility, restore power and systems, inspect and test all critical infrastructure, and then move cautiously into flight operations. The airport’s importance to tourism and recovery makes it a priority, but safety comes first.
So if you’ve got plans to fly, hold them lightly. If you’re already there, know that help is coming and operations will resume as soon as safely possible. And if you’re watching from abroad, know this: MBJ isn’t just a place people pass through. It’s a heartbeat for Jamaica’s north coast, and that beat will return.
