Fort Lauderdale has emerged as the top destination for air travelers departing from Kingston, Jamaica, surpassing New York in a significant shift in travel patterns between the two cities.

This noteworthy development was announced by Sitara English-Byfield, CEO of PAC Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL), the management company for Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA).

In January 2025, arrivals from Fort Lauderdale surged to record levels, with a 25 percent increase, nearly double the 14 percent growth observed for New York. Other popular destinations from Kingston include Miami, Toronto, Atlanta, London, and several cities in the Caribbean and Latin America.

English-Byfield shared this information at an airport forum hosted by PACKAL in New Kingston last Thursday, stating, “Fort Lauderdale is now the top city, which is a first. Throughout NMIA’s existence, New York was always in the lead, followed by Fort Lauderdale.

The spike in air traffic to Fort Lauderdale coincides with Caribbean Airlines’ decision to expand daily flights on the Kingston-Fort Lauderdale route. Since March, the airline has increased its service from three weekly flights to daily operations, in direct response to the demand from the Jamaican diaspora. JetBlue has also added more flights along this route.

Caribbean Airlines CEO Garvin Medera expressed, “At Caribbean Airlines, we understand that home is where the heart is, and for many Jamaicans living in Fort Lauderdale and beyond, home is both here and back in Jamaica. Whether you are visiting family, conducting business, returning for a well-deserved vacation, or simply longing for the warmth of the island, this route is designed with you in mind. It was reintroduced based on feedback from you, because at Caribbean Airlines, we listen. You asked, and we answered. Your voices shape our service, and your needs drive our decisions.

JetBlue, Delta Airlines, and Southwest hold the largest market shares at Jamaica’s three international airports. Total passenger numbers at NMIA rose to 428,100 between January and March, a 9. 2 percent increase from the previous year. The airport currently serves approximately two million passengers annually but has the capacity to accommodate up to five million.

The increase in travel to Fort Lauderdale aligns with demographic trends in the United States. According to the 2020 U. S. Census, Broward County, Florida, where the city is located, has the largest Jamaican population of any U. S. county, with 96,527 residents identifying as Jamaican (alone or in combination with other identities). This community is not only concentrated in Fort Lauderdale but also in neighboring cities such as Lauderdale Lakes, Plantation, and Hollywood.

This growing connection between Kingston and Fort Lauderdale highlights the crucial role of the Jamaican diaspora in shaping travel patterns and cultural ties. With more flights and record passenger numbers, Fort Lauderdale is quickly becoming the primary gateway for Jamaicans traveling to and from the island, reinforcing the enduring bonds of home and heritage.