The representatives of the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) see this year's honour from The Gleaner as a call to continue the good work they are doing in the field of public service.

"We are delighted that we have been recognised, but our delight is tempered by the fact that much more is required of us and we are very conscious of the need to keep raising the bar, and hence our focus on improving the quality of service … and running an efficient business," AAJ President Earl Richards told The Gleaner yesterday after collecting the award for outstanding public service.

The AAJ was awarded by The Gleaner in the company's annual awards scheme, which looks at groups or individuals who have contributed to the good of the Jamaican society.

They were saluted for their sterling work in modernising the facilities at both of the island's international airports - the Norman Manley International and the Sangster International.

Primary responsibility

Established in 1974 under the Airports Authority Act, the AAJ has primary responsibility for the two international airports, as well as four aerodromes.

Richards pointed out that, though on face value the airports are seen as transit points for travellers, they are much more.

"The airport is a very complex mechanism. We are a big real estate operator in that we accommodate about 70 different businesses there," he said. "If you take, for example, the sale of aviation fuel, which is regarded as an export of Jamaica, millions of gallons of fuel are exported from there."

The changes to the two airports, which have been made under the modernisation programme since 2002, especially in Montego Bay, have helped drive the growth of passenger numbers, mitigating the impact of the economic downturn.

The AAJ has overseen several changes to the two airports. These have resulted in expansion of the aircraft wings, the upgrading of the electricity supply to the main buildings, and the improvement of car park and roadways, among other things.

"We have been improving the computerised systems and so we have introduced what we call CUPPS, which is Common Use Passenger Processing System, so no longer do we have airlines with dedicated counters. An airline's in-checking can use any counter. Once they put in their code, then all their information comes up and they can proceed with their checking."