Norman Manley International Airport (KIN)

Overview

A busy Caribbean hub and main gateway to the beaches and resorts of Jamaica, Norman Manley Kingston International Airport serves the capital city of Kingston. Formerly known as Palisadoes Airport, the facility was renamed in honour of a Jamaican statesman who fought for universal suffrage.

The airport, which currently serves about two million passengers each year, is in the midst of a huge renovation and expansion project that started in 2004 and will finish in 2022. The constant construction does give the airport a feeling of chaos, however the facilities in the departures area are spacious and modern, with a nice variety of shops and restaurants. The only delays tend to come from the notoriously strict immigration counters, which often have long queues.

Location

The airport is located 11 miles (18km) south east of Kingston.

Getting to the city

Train: The train service in Jamaica, discontinued in 1992, opened a few lines in April 2011 with plans for a cross-country system once again. There is a station in Kingston, although the service currently doesn't run there.

Taxi: You can get a taxi from the airport to town for about JMD 2500, or less if you're prepared to haggle.

Bus: There's a good, extensive government-run public bus network across Kingston, with three major stations in town - the Downtown Transport Center, the ultra-modern Half-Way Tree Transport Center, or Cross Roads. You can catch buses across Kingston and Jamaica in general.

Time

GMT -5

Contacts

Tel: +1 876 924 8452.

Car rental

Car rental companies represented at the airport include Avis, Budget, Hertz and Island Car Rentals. Their desks are in the Ground Transportation Hall.

Airport Taxis

You can get a taxi from the airport to town for about JMD 2500, or less if you're prepared to haggle.

Transfer between terminals

There is only one terminal building.

Facilities

Money and communications: ATMs and currency exchange in the departures area.

Luggage: There are free baggage carts in the baggage claim hall, and a lost and found office in the arrivals area.

Conference and business: Air Jamaica, British Airways and American Airlines have business class lounges in the departures area.

Other facilities: Baby changing facilities, wheelchair assistance, health centre (in arrivals area).

Wifi: There is wifi access in the departure lobby.

Information: There are customer service desks in the departure area, the public arrivals area and the immigration hall.

Food and Drink: There's a decent selection of eateries at the airport, especially after security in the departures area. If you're not feeling adventurous there's the usual Burger King, but otherwise, you have your pick of sweet, spicy and savoury at one of several restaurants and cafés offering delicious local fare. There are duty-free stores in both the arrivals and departures areas.

Shopping: In addition to the usual newsagent, there's a good selection of stores to pick up a last-minute gift for family and friends back home - choose from a selection of Reggae music, aromatherapy items or some Jamaican coffee, rum and other delicacies.

Parking

Parking at Norman Manley International costs JMD 100 for the first hour, JMD 200 for 2 hours and JMD 300 for 3 hours or more, or JMD 300 a day.

Departure Tax

There is a departure tax of JMD 2000, which is usually included in your ticket price.

Website

www.nmia.aero

Airlines

Flights to Kingston International Airport are available via Air Canada, Caribbean Airlines, American Airlines, Air Jamaica, British Airways, Jetblue, Copa, Virgin Atlantic, Delta and Spirit Airlines.

Internet

Wifi is available in the departures area.

Business Lounges

Business-class lounges are available to passengers of Air Jamaica, British Airways, and American Airlines.

Kingston International Airport Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.