The Jamaicans who flew in on or just came to witness the arrival of the inaugural American Airlines flight AA4-007 from Miami, Florida, to Ian Fleming International Airport (OCJ) in Oracabessa, St Mary, on February 24, 2024 knew that history was in the making.

The first scheduled international commercial jet service to Jamaica’s third international airport touched down at 12.15 pm with 71 passengers – a mixture of Jamaicans and tourists – to loud cheers from a large gathering of people who came from the eastern parish and farther afield to witness the once-in-a-lifetime event.

As the plane circled to land on a weather-perfect afternoon, the Jamaicans on board were already out of their seats in anticipation, taking in the view from the windows, waving the black, green and gold flags and chattering excitedly among themselves.

“This is going to be a game changer for tourism,” said David Mullings who boarded the flight at Miami. “I love the welcome, starting with our Miami Consul General Oliver Mair who saw us off, to the Jamaica Tourist Board – the reggae music, the blue mountain coffee, all of it,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Mullings, a Jamaican, was here on a business trip for Blue Mahoe Capital, the largest shareholder in KLE, which owns Usain Bolt’s Tracks and Records. The company is owner of the Bessa development in Oracabessa, the quiet seaside town that is expecting a boom from airport-related activities.

Workmen putting the finishing touches to the walkway at Ian Fleming International Airport ahead of the arrival of American Airlines flight AA-4007. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

Denton Campbell described the operation of the Ian Fleming Airport by American Airlines as “an excellent idea”, adding, “It is almost in the middle of the north coast and will drive investment in the area. I am sure AA will realise they have a winner.”

Joyce Miller, who was in the crowd, said she had built a house at Gibraltar near Oracabessa and would be able to fly to and from Miami with greater ease. Her friend Beverley Yearde who was visiting her from Kingston said the arrival of the AA flight was “an awesome development” and the first time she was witnessing such an occasion.

Debra Griffiths, who works for Island Routes, the adventure tour company, said the flights to Ian Fleming International would be great for St Mary and local tourism in the immediate area, noting, “For those who live in this region it will be great to be able to fly from there.”

Expectations are generally high in the region that the twice-weekly AA flights (Wednesday and Saturday), and others hoped for, will make Ian Fleming International — named for the writer of the fictional James Bond, agent 007 spy thrillers — a catalyst for development.