Fort Lauderdale surpasses New York as top destination for air travelers from Kingston

Fort Lauderdale has overtaken New York as the leading destination for air passengers departing from Kingston, Jamaica, marking a historic shift in travel patterns between the two cities.

This milestone was revealed by Sitara English-Byfield, CEO of PAC Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL), which manages Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA).

January 2025 saw a record surge in arrivals from the city, with traffic increasing 25 percent—nearly double the 14 percent growth recorded for New York. Other popular destinations from Kingston include Miami, Toronto, Atlanta, London, and several Caribbean and Latin American cities.

“Fort Lauderdale is the number one city for the first time,” English-Byfield announced at an airport forum hosted by PACKAL in New Kingston last Thursday. “For all of NMIA’s life, I believe it was always New York followed by Fort Lauderdale.”

The spike in air traffic to Fort Lauderdale coincides with Caribbean Airlines’ expansion of daily flights on the Kingston-Fort Lauderdale route. Since March, the airline has increased service from three weekly flights to daily operations, responding directly to demand from the Jamaican diaspora. JetBlue has also boosted flights along this route.

“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,” said Caribbean Airlines CEO Garvin Medera at the launch of the expanded service. “Whether you are visiting family, conducting business, returning for a well-earned 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.”

Across Jamaica’s three international airports, JetBlue, Delta Airlines, and Southwest hold the largest market shares. Total passenger numbers at NMIA grew to 428,100 between January and March, a 9.2 percent increase over the previous year. The airport, which currently handles about two million passengers annually, has the capacity to serve up to five million.

The rise 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—hosts the largest Jamaican population in any U.S. county, with 96,527 residents identifying as Jamaican (alone or in combination with other identities). The Jamaican community is concentrated not only in Fort Lauderdale but also in nearby cities such as Lauderdale Lakes, Plantation, and Hollywood.

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