Grenada Airport: Is There Air Conditioning?

Grenada is an island country in the Caribbean Sea, consisting of the island of Grenada and several smaller islands at the southern end of the Grenadines. The country's main airport is the Maurice Bishop International Airport, which is located in the nation's capital, St. George's. In this article, we will explore the airport's facilities, including whether it has air conditioning.

Grenada's Maurice Bishop International Airport

Grenada is a Caribbean island country and sovereign state in the southeastern Caribbean Sea. The country consists of the main island of Grenada and several smaller islands, including Carriacou, Petit Martinique, and Ronde Island. The capital of Grenada is St. George's, and the country is located northwest of Trinidad and Tobago, northeast of Venezuela, and southwest of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Grenada's main airport is the Maurice Bishop International Airport, which is located at an elevation of 41 feet (12 meters) above mean sea level. The airport has one runway designated 10/28 with an asphalt surface measuring 2,744 meters by 45 meters (9,003 feet by 148 feet). The airport is named after the late Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, who was killed in a violent coup in 1983. This event precipitated the U.S.-led invasion of Grenada, with the airport serving as the jump-off point for American forces.

The airport holds historical significance in the conflict between Grenadian and U.S. forces. On October 25, 1983, over 500 Rangers from the U.S. Army conducted a daring, low-altitude parachute assault onto the airport, facing resistance from Grenadian armed forces and Cuban construction workers. Despite this opposition, the Rangers swiftly secured their objectives on the airfield. The successful seizure of the airfield allowed U.S. Air Force C-141 transport planes to land and deploy six battalions of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division as the follow-on occupation force.

After the invasion, the airport was completed with $19 million in American assistance. On October 28, 1984, the airport landed its first commercial passenger plane. Today, the airport houses the Grenada Outstation of the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority and accommodates various commercial airlines, including American Airlines, Caribbean Airlines, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic Airways.

Airlines that fly to Grenada

Grenada is a small island country in the southeastern Caribbean Sea, consisting of the main island of Grenada and several smaller islands, including Carriacou, Petit Martinique, and Ronde Island. The country's main airport is the Maurice Bishop International Airport, located 7km from the capital city of St. George's. The airport is served by several commercial airlines, providing easy access to Grenada from destinations around the world. Here are some of the airlines that offer flights to Grenada:

JetBlue

JetBlue Airways is a popular low-cost carrier that provides flights to Grenada from the United States. With a focus on passenger comfort and satisfaction, JetBlue offers a range of amenities and services to make your journey enjoyable.

American Airlines

As one of the major carriers in the United States, American Airlines provides convenient flight options to Grenada. With a comprehensive route network, American Airlines allows travellers from across the globe to connect to Grenada via the United States.

Caribbean Airlines

Caribbean Airlines is the flagship carrier of Trinidad and Tobago and operates a comprehensive network of routes throughout the Caribbean. The airline offers flights to Grenada, connecting the island nation to other Caribbean destinations and providing easy access from its hub in Trinidad and Tobago.

KAYAK

KAYAK is a travel search engine that allows you to find and compare flights from various airlines. With KAYAK, you can explore different options and pricing for flights to Grenada, making it a convenient tool for finding the best deals and planning your trip efficiently.

In addition to these airlines, other carriers such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Condor also offer flights to Grenada, providing a range of options for travellers worldwide. Grenada's Maurice Bishop International Airport serves as the main gateway to the country, welcoming visitors from near and far.

History of the airport

Grenada's main airport is the Maurice Bishop International Airport, which is located 19 miles (31 km) northeast of the country's capital, St. George's. The airport is at an elevation of 41 ft (12 m) above sea level and has a single runway measuring 2,744 m × 45 m (9,003 ft × 148 ft). It is the country's second airport, replacing Pearls Airport, which opened in 1943 and was the country's first.

Pearls Airport was Grenada's first airport, opening in 1943 and was located in the northeastern corner of the island. During World War II, the airport was used by the Allies for military aircraft. After the war, the airport returned to civilian use, and its runway was extended and paved. The airport was not in daily operation as Pan American Airways did not operate in the Windward Islands due to an agreement by the British Government to protect British West Indian Airways. Pearls Airport was replaced as the country's main airport in 1984 by the Point Salines International Airport, now known as the Maurice Bishop International Airport.

The Point Salines International Airport was designed by a Canadian firm, with specialised construction contracts awarded to European contractors. Two private American construction firms also participated in the project. The Grenadian government contended that the new airport would increase tourism to the island, as the existing airport's short and geographically challenging runway prevented long-range jets from landing, causing tourists to endure delays and expenses when changing to smaller planes.

On October 25, 1983, before the airport's completion, it was the site of an invasion of Grenada by the United States. Over 500 Rangers from the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the United States Army 75th Ranger Regiment conducted a low-altitude parachute assault on the airport. The invasion was justified by the US as a response to a violent coup in which Prime Minister Maurice Bishop was killed, and the perceived threat to American medical students at St. George's University, located near the airport. The airport was secured, and US forces used the airfield as a base for offensive operations.

The airport was completed with $19 million in American assistance and received its first commercial passenger plane on October 28, 1984. In 2009, it was renamed Maurice Bishop International Airport after the late Prime Minister.

The airport's elevation

Grenada's Maurice Bishop International Airport is located in the Caribbean, 41 feet (12 metres) above mean sea level. The airport is situated in the country's capital, St. George's, and is named after the former Prime Minister, Maurice Bishop, who was killed in a violent coup in 1983. This event led to the airport being chosen as the starting point for the US-led invasion of Grenada, which aimed to address the perceived threat to American medical students at the nearby St. George's University. The US military secured the airfield, allowing the invasion forces to land and begin their occupation.

The airport's low elevation and proximity to the sea are important considerations for aircraft takeoff and landing performance. The surrounding terrain and weather conditions can also impact aircraft operations, and the Caribbean weather is known for its heat. The airport is served by various international airlines, including American Airlines, Caribbean Airlines, British Airways, and Air Canada, among others.

The elevation of an airport is an important factor in aviation and has implications for various aspects of flight operations. Firstly, it affects the performance of aircraft during takeoff and landing. At higher altitudes, the air density decreases, which can impact engine performance and the lift generated by the wings. Airports at higher elevations often have shorter runways to accommodate this, but this is not a concern for Grenada's airport, given its low elevation.

Additionally, the airport's elevation can influence the navigation and communication systems used by aircraft and air traffic control. The line-of-sight for radio communications can be impacted by the terrain's height, and at higher elevations, the curvature of the Earth comes into play. However, with modern satellite-based navigation systems, these challenges have become less prominent, allowing for safe and efficient operations at airports like Grenada's, even with its low elevation.

The airport's runway

Grenada is a small island country in the southeastern Caribbean Sea. The country consists of the main island of Grenada and several smaller islands at the southern end of the Grenadines, including Carriacou, Petit Martinique, and Ronde Island. The capital of Grenada is St. George's, and the country is located northwest of Trinidad and Tobago, northeast of Venezuela, and southwest of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Point Salines International Airport, now known as the Maurice Bishop International Airport, is the main airport serving Grenada. The airport is located at an elevation of 41 feet (12 meters) above mean sea level and features a single runway designated as 10/28. The runway has an asphalt surface and measures 2,744 meters in length and 45 meters in width (9,003 feet by 148 feet).

The history of the airport is quite interesting. In October 1983, the unfinished airport became the site of a significant event in Grenada's history: the US-led invasion following a violent coup in which Prime Minister Maurice Bishop was killed. American forces conducted a risky, low-altitude parachute assault onto the unfinished airport, facing resistance from the Grenadian armed forces and armed Cuban construction workers. Despite the opposition, the American forces quickly secured their objectives on the airfield.

The completion of the airport was achieved with $19 million in American assistance, and on October 28, 1984, the airport landed its first commercial passenger plane. In 2009, the airport was renamed after the late Prime Minister Maurice Bishop. Today, the airport accommodates various international airlines, including American Airlines, Caribbean Airlines, British Airways, JetBlue Airways, Qatar Airways, and Air Canada, among others.

Frequently asked questions