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Competition regulator Fair Trading Commission, FTC, is assessing whether travellers are benefiting from price competition at Jamaica’s two major international airports, both managed by Mexico-based Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, GAP, which translates to Pacific Airport Group.
GAP owns and operates the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay under concession from the Jamaican government.
The FTC said it is examining the concessionaire agreements for both airports, saying its “concerns centre around key aspects of competition and consumer protection within the aviation sector” in the latest FTC newsletter released online on Tuesday.
The review comes amid fluctuating air travel patterns since the COVID-19 pandemic and growing concerns from the public about the lack of ideal flight options at their nearest airport. Some travellers have reported driving cross-country to access cheaper flights, raising questions about pricing practices.
In January, Sangster International – Jamaica’s busiest airport – recorded a 7.3 per cent decline in total passengers, compared to a year ago. NMIA, located at Palisadoes, saw a 12.5 per cent increase in passenger flow, according to GAP, which released new financial results on Tuesday.