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The Classics

PHOTO FLASHBACK: The opening of the Palisadoes Airport

Published:Friday | July 30, 2021 | 6:58 AMA Digital Integration & Marketing production
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A section of the large gathering that attended the official opening of the new Palisadoes Airport on July 27, 1961. In the background is part of the terminal building showing the control tower and administrative offices.
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A view of the runway from the control tower as an operator sat at the master-control panel.
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Installation of equipment in the radio control room.
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A view of the new Palisadoes Airport building from the car park. Steps at the right lead to the waving balcony.
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The Palisadoes International Airport Terminal Building that brought Kingston in line with the most modern airport in the Caribbean.
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Hope. That is what the 1961 opening of the Palisadoes Airport brought to Jamaica. Norman Manley had envisioned a burgeoning of Jamaica’s tourism product and the need to have an international airport to facilitate that swell. With the growth of tourism would come the improvement of Jamaica’s economic fortunes. Today, we know he was right.

Published July 1961

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