Norman Manley International Airport (IATA: KIN, ICAO: MKJP) is the second busiest airport of Jamaica. In 2023, 1.74 mio passenger used the airport which is located south of the island’s capital and largest city, Kingston. The airport is very isolated and except the northern part of the areal it is surrounded by water too. KIN is a hub for Caribbean Airlines. All common carriers from North America are present combined with cargo flights to and from Miami. British Airways is the only carrier from Europe, with flights from London Gatwick.

Written by Scotty Antico. Last Update: December 2024

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
12/30	2.716 m (8.911 ft)
Terminals	One terminal for all operations
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed at any of the spots.
Car/Public Transport	Spot 3 is in walking distance to the terminal but for the other spots a car is needed as these are very isolated.
Drinks/Food	Nothing around so be prepared before you go out for spotting!
Hotels	There are no hotels around the airport.
Season	We recommend to visit the airport during the winter season from October until March due to the better light conditions. Furthermore expect more holiday flights from North American during this time.
Security	No reports about problems with airport security or police.
Runway Usage
General Info	No preferred alignment. Runway is used in all directions.

	Spot #1 – Plumb Point Lighthouse – 30 arrivals, 12 departures
WHERE	This spotting lociation is by the roadside, next to the “Plumb Point Lightouse” and an factory building. Head to the airport but do not drive to the terminal and continue straight south direcftion “Port Royal Point”. After the 30 approach path a small factore will pop up to the left. There are enough lay-by’s where parking is possible. Find you prefered spot in this area. If you see something using the other runway side it is a 5 min drive between these two spots, plenty enough time to reach the other end. There is no public transport to this place and a car is recommend.
WHAT	Best for 30 arrivals but 12 departures are possible as well. For this case stay a bit further down the road.
TIME	Best season is from October-March from morning until sunset. Other months it is top/backlight.
MISC.	Location is far from any civilization so be prepared with water and food.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-200mm

KIN-Spot1

KIN-Spot1

KIN-Spot1

	Spot #2 – Port Royal – 12 arrivals, 30 departures
WHERE	Continue on the same road as for the previous spot for approximate 2.5 km until some more lay-by’s directly at the waterfront and the beginning of runway 12. If you see something using the other runway side it is a 5 min drive between these two spots, plenty enough time to reach the other end. There is no public transport to this place and a car is recommend.
WHAT	Best for 12 arrivals but 30 departures are possible as well.
TIME	Best season is from October-March from morning until sunset. Other months it is top/backlight.
MISC.	Location is far from any civilization so be prepared with water and food.
FOCAL LENGTH	150-300mm 738=280mm; 787=180mm

KIN-Spot2

KIN-Spot2

KIN-Spot2

KIN-Spot2

KIN-Spot2

KIN-Spot2

	Spot #3 – Terminal Road – Ramp
WHERE	The location is along the fence line on the access road to the terminal facilities. You can stop on side of road and walk to the fence where you can take photos from the ramp. It is also just a short jump from the Terminal.
WHAT	There are views of the ramp. This includes an abandonend Gulfstream and the ramp of the Jamaican Defence Force.
TIME	Depends on how the planes are parked but backlit from October-March. Other months might be better.
MISC.	Do not stay to long here. Just take the pictures and leave the place.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm

KIN-Spot3