Ian Fleming International Airport

Ian Fleming International Airport (previously Boscobel Aerodrome) (IATA: OCJ, ICAO: MKBS) is an international airport located in Boscobel, Saint Mary Parish, Jamaica, 10 km (6.2 mi) east[1] of Ocho Rios, in northern Jamaica. The airport historically provided service to the United States and to other Caribbean islands. It is named for Ian Fleming, the creator of the James Bond novels, whose Goldeneye estate is located in St. Mary parish.[4]

Ian Fleming International Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OperatorAirports Authority of Jamaica
ServesOcho Rios, Jamaica
LocationBoscobel, Saint Mary Parish, Jamaica
Elevation AMSL90 ft / 27 m
Coordinates18°24′15″N 076°58′08″W
Websiteifia.aero
Map
MKBS
Location in Jamaica
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
09/27 4,769 1,454 Asphalt
Sources: AAJ,[1] DAFIF[2][3]

History

Previously known as Boscobel Aerodrome, the airport was originally a limited service facility that processed about 20,000[5] passengers annually. Boscobel Aerodrome was in operation for over 30 years and had scheduled passenger service provided by local air carriers such as Air Jamaica Express, Jamaica Air Service,[6] Jamaica Air Shuttle and Trans Jamaican Airlines which flew small prop and turboprop aircraft such as the Beechcraft 99, Britten-Norman Trislander, de Havilland Heron, and Dornier 228.

Renovations began in early 2009, and the total cost of construction was $300 million (JMD).[7] The new airport was opened on January 12, 2011 by Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who said that the intention of the airport was to handle small jets, international arrivals and to attract the high-end tourism market to Jamaica's north coast,[8] including Ocho Rios, Oracabessa, and Port Antonio. Also present for the opening was Ian Fleming's niece, Lucy Fleming, and Goldeneye's current owner, Chris Blackwell.[9]

The new airport welcomed its first international flight on Friday, May 7, 2010 (eight months prior to its official opening) when a single-engine Pilatus PC-12 turboprop flew in from the Bahamas with singer-songwriter and businessman Jimmy Buffett, of "Margaritaville" fame,[10] being the first international passenger to be processed by customs and immigration officers at the facility.[11][12]

The renaming of the airport was controversial, with some locals feeling that a prominent Jamaican should have been honoured in preference to the British Ian Fleming.[13] Prime Minister Golding acknowledged the controversy in his remarks at the opening of the airport. He explained that Ian Fleming gave Jamaica "an image much larger than it would otherwise have had", and that this was the place where the creativity emerged that enabled him to write 13 James Bond novels, and to become one of the world's most famous authors.[14]

Facilities

Ian Fleming International Airport resides at an elevation of 90 ft (27 m) above mean sea level.[2] It has one runway designated 09/27 with an asphalt surface measuring 4,769 ft × 79 ft (1,454 m × 24 m).[1] The airport is designed to handle private and commercial aircraft as large as the Cessna Citation Excel.[15]

The airport features a modern terminal, landing lights, fire truck garage and a fuelling station.[16] Passenger amenities include customs and immigration services, a passenger lounge, and pilot briefing rooms.

Passengers

The following table shows the number of passengers using the airport annually from 1997 through 2001.[5]

19971998199920002001
Passengers 11,53915,94423,63823,48322,410

References
  1. "Ian Fleming Int'l Airport". Airports Authority of Jamaica. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  2. "Boscobel - Mkbs". World Aero Data. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
  3. Airport information for OCJ at Great Circle Mapper. Source: DAFIF (effective October 2006).
  4. "Airport named after spy novelist". abtn.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2010-12-14.
  5. "Domestic Aerodromes (Western Region)". Airports Authority of Jamaica. Archived from the original on 17 April 2003.
  6. http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/bw/bw6507/bw6507-2.jpg
  7. "Jamaica to Convert Boscobel Aerodrome into International Airport". airport-technology.com.
  8. "Ian Fleming airport will increase high end tourism - Latest News". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 2011-01-13. Retrieved 2011-01-14.
  10. "More Photos from Jimmy's Flight to Jamaica Last Week » Jimmy Buffett World". buffettworld.com.
  11. "Jimmy Buffet, Boscobel Aerodrome's First Passenger". May 10, 2010. Archived from the original on May 13, 2010. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  12. "Industry News & Facts: GETTING IN AND AROUND JAMAICA IS EASIER". JTBonline. Jamaica Tourist Board. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2010. On 2011 January 12, Jamaica will see the opening of its third international airport - The Ian Fleming International Airport.
  13. Edwards, Alesia (23 January 2011). "Storm over airport name". Jamaica Observer. Kingston, Jamaica: Jamaica Observer Limited. Archived from the original on 25 January 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  14. "Ian Fleming airport a strategic decision - PM". Jamaica Gleaner. 2011-01-14. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
  15. "Ian Flemming International Airport Third international airport to open in Jamaica - eTurboNews.com". eturbonews.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-17. Retrieved 2010-12-31.
  16. "New International Airport for Boscobel". Jamaica Gleaner. October 22, 2009. Archived from the original on October 25, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
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