President of the Airport Authority of Jamaica, Audley Deidrick has sought to allay fears about concession agreements for the country’s two main airports, by stressing that they are not indicative of Jamaica’s major infrastructure being sold off.

The Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St. James is operating under a 30-year concession agreement with Mexico’s Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP) and Canada’s vantage.

While, the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston operates under a 25-year concession agreement with GAP’s local subsidiary, PAC Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL).

Responding to concerns about the sale of Jamaica’s assets, Mr. Deidrick said if the Government is not satisfied with how the facilities are being run, it has the option of terminating the lease.

Mr. Deidrick explained that the Government has engaged investors in a concession programme since the late 1990’s for various entities or projects, including roads, airports and seaports.

This he maintained is due to the enormous benefits.

He noted that there are risks associated with concessions but these are minimal.

He said the Government has a stringent oversight regime in place.