The centre will feature in-house customs and immigration service, lounge accommodations, a private meeting room, high-speed internet service and covered access to ground transportation.

Additionally, it is designed to serve both private and corporate clients.

These latest details on the soon-to-be-completed project were given by cabinet secretary, Dr Carlton Davis as he addressed a recent Jamaica National Building Society/Gleaner forum in Canada entitled ''Outlook for the future: Doing Business in Jamaica".

This new jet centre forms part of a broader infrastructure development plan at the Donald Sangster airport where the terminal capacity has doubled and the tarmac capacity increased to 22 aircraft positions. In addition, a five-star mini-terminal is under construction and 17 passenger boarding bridges have been installed.

Tourism interests in Montego Bay, hearing of the impending opening of the facility, were noticeably ecstatic.

Richard Whitfield, managing director of Half Moon Montego Bay, one of the hotels said to be aggressively positioning itself for the expected upscale tourists market, said his staff at Half Moon Resorts was ready and raring to go. He continued: "We at Half Moon are quite excited about the development of a private jet service at the Montego Bay Airport."

Hardly hiding his enthusiasm for the project, he said, "Already, a number of our guests fly to Montego Bay on their private jets and this new service will attract even larger numbers of this segment of the market to Montego Bay".

He had a lot of commendation for the private company that now manages the airport. He noted, "The MBJ Airport Co Ltd, should be applauded for their many innovations at the airport. The proposed jet service is yet another example of the role they are playing as a valuable member of the island's marketing team."

Horace Peterkin, president of Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) and general manager of Sandals Montego Bay echoed similar positive views about the project. He added, "It is a most welcome development, long overdue. Jamaica has missed out on this segment of the tourism business because we had no facilities to attract them".

Looking at the likely pluses from the centre he said, "Islands like The Bahamas, Barbados and the Turks & Caicos Islands, already enjoy the lion's share of this business because they set up special facilities from day one. The jet service at Montego Bay will bring us high-end guests, who stay in top-end hotels and spend premium dollars. It will complement developments like Harmony Cove and help put Jamaica back on the map of first- class destinations."

One industry source, who did not want to be named, was however more cautious in his comments. He expressed concern that when the guests left the airport they would have to face the reality of crime and harassment. "The new centre will definitely protect the jet, but how will the pilot fare when he goes on the streets," he lamented. He expressed further concern about the the availability of suitable transport services to facilitate these guests.

But whatever may be the concerns about supportive infrastructure, the new jet centre will definitely provide the Montego Bay tourist resort with a new fillip for its tourism product.