Jamaica has signed an amended agreement with the United States of America that will facilitate better security coverage on flights between both countries, via deployment of air marshals.

The signing ceremony for the revised authorization process for foreign in-flight security officers on overnight flight or grounded emergencies (US Federal Air Marshal Service), was held at the Sangster International Airport, in Montego Bay, St. James, yesterday.

The US Embassy in Kingston said the air marshal agreement will allow for the continued presence of federal air marshals aboard select international flights between Jamaica and the United States.

Representatives from the US Transportation Security Administration participated in yesterday’s signing ceremony, demonstrating their commitment to safeguarding aviation transportation between Jamaica and the United States.

Meantime, the Ministry of National Security noted that the original air marshal agreement was enforced in 2008 and that the amendments that were formalized yesterday will enhance the security framework of the original agreement by providing a clarified mechanism, through which the deployment of United States air marshals can be activated and operationalized.

The agreement provides added reassurance that if there is an incident onboard an aircraft the air marshals can and will respond quickly to ensure the safety of all persons onboard.

The ministry said Jamaica and the United States have been long-standing partners in bilateral and hemispheric security arrangements.

These arrangements have been mutually beneficial, providing a heightened and strengthened security network in the region.

National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang noted that the majority of visitors to Jamaica come through the Montego Bay based airport.

He pointed out that a lot of work is done by various agencies to ensure that travel to and from Jamaica is safe.