MONTEGO BAY, St James — The arrival of the first of six flights — an American Airlines flight with 120 passengers — at Sangster International Airport here yesterday was a clear sign that the prospects for the more than 8,000 people employed at the airport were improving.

“Coming into this [Montego Bay] airport and being greeted by the red caps [porters] saying thanks, but moreso the prospects of 8,000 people who work at this airport seeing their jobs coming back, I think that this is the most satisfying of all and perhaps the greatest sense of hope that is provided.

Hopeton Burnett, president of the 72-strong Montego Bay Airport Red Cap Porters Association, said the members were extremely happy to be back on the job.

President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association Omar Robinson, who said association members are excited to get the industry “rolling again”, disclosed that only a handful of hotels will reopen this week.

The health minister also thanked his more than 100 team members on the ground yesterday, “ably supported by immigration, Customs, the JDF [Jamaica Defence Force], the constabulary, tourism...All in all, this COVID-19 challenge has brought this country in a way that I think will only make us stronger going forward”.