Previously known as Boscobel Aerodrome, the airport was originally a limited service facility that processed about 20,000 passengers annually. Boscobel Aerodrome was in operation for over 30 years and had scheduled passenger service provided by local carriers such as Air Jamaica Express, Jamaica Air Shuttle and Trans Jamaican Airlines which flew small prop and turboprop aircraft such as the Beechcraft 99, Britten-Norman Trislander and Dornier 228. Renovations began in early 2009, and the total cost of construction was $300 million. The new airport was opened on January 12, 2011 by Prime MinisterBruce 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, 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. The new airport welcomed its first international flight on Friday, May 7, 2010 when a single-engine Pilatus PC-12 turboprop flew in from the Bahamas with singer-songwriter and businessman Jimmy Buffett, of "Margaritaville" fame, being the first international passenger to be processed by customs and immigration officers at the facility. 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. 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.
Facilities
Ian Fleming International Airport resides at an elevation of above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 09/27 with an asphalt surface measuring. The airport is designed to handle private and commercial aircraft as large as the Cessna Citation Excel. The airport features a modern terminal, landing lights, fire truck garage and a fuelling station. Passenger amenities include customs and immigration services, a passenger lounge, and pilot briefing rooms.
Airlines and destinations
Passengers
The following table shows the number of passengers using the airport annually from 1997 through 2001.
