St. Lucia Airport: What's The Deal With Wifi?

St Lucia is a beautiful Caribbean island known for its lush rainforests, palm-fringed beaches, and stunning views. The island is serviced by two airports: Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) and George F.L. Charles Airport (SLU). Hewanorra International Airport is the busiest and is located on the southern tip of the island in Vieux Fort, while George F.L. Charles Airport is the smaller airport located in Castries, the island's capital. But do these airports have WiFi?

St Lucia's Hewanorra International Airport

St Lucia is a beautiful island with two airports: a domestic airport and an international airport. Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) is the main international airport in St Lucia, located on the southern tip of the island in Vieux Fort. It is the busiest of the two airports in St Lucia. The other airport, George F.L. Charles Airport (GFL/SLU), is St Lucia's smallest airport, located in Castries, the island's capital.

Hewanorra International Airport is easy to navigate as it only has one terminal. The airport is small, but clean and well-organised, with friendly staff. However, it has been noted that there is a lack of seating within the airport. There is no jetway, so passengers should be prepared to walk and climb stairs to board the plane. The airport is also not handicapped-friendly, with limited disabled parking. It is recommended to contact the airport manager to learn about disabled parking options.

Short-term parking is available for free, but it is basic and lacks security. Long-term parking is uncommon and shares a lot with short-term parking. It is recommended to contact the airport manager to arrange long-term parking and potentially extra security.

The Customs & Excise department facilitates legitimate trade and travel, effective border management, and revenue collection. The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority is responsible for managing and providing a high-quality service at the main ports of entry to the island. It is recommended to fill out immigration forms online prior to arrival to streamline the process.

George F.L. Charles Airport

The island of St Lucia is serviced by both a domestic and an international airport. The international airport, Hewanorra International Airport (UVF), is located on the southern tip of the island in Vieux Fort. It is the busiest of St Lucia's airports and has limited food options for those with dietary restrictions, such as gluten allergies.

For those seeking a more luxurious arrival or departure experience, St Lucia Airport offers a Fast Track Service for VIP arrivals, which provides expedited passage through customs and immigration. This service is available to the public and can be booked in advance. Additionally, the Iyanola Executive Departure Lounge at Hewanorra International Airport offers various amenities, including free WiFi, comfortable seating, a bar, and light snacks.

St Lucia Airport Fast Track Service

The St Lucia Airport Fast Track Service offers expedited arrival through customs and immigration, saving time and hassle for arriving guests. This service is available to all travellers to the island, whether for business or pleasure, and can be booked by anyone. It is offered at the Hewanorra International Airport (UVF), which sees a heavy tourist volume.

Guests are greeted inside the departure hall by a Fast Track agent with signage. They are then escorted to their airline counter and to the front of the line at the port police checkpoint to verify boarding documents with expedited service. Guests are also expedited through the immigration process before entering the general departure lounge.

The cost of the Fast Track Service varies based on the choice of service requested. The VIP Lounge, for example, is offered only on departing flights and costs $59 USD per person. On the other hand, transfers that take place between midnight and 6:00 am will incur a supplemental cost of 50% of the contracted rates.

To book the St Lucia Fast Track Service, you must provide the name of the lead passenger and the total number of passengers for whom you would like to book. You must also provide your exact flight details, including the flight number, date, and time of arrival. All passenger details must be received at least 48 hours in advance of your arrival.

Limited seating at the airport

St Lucia has two airports: Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) and George F.L. Charles Airport (GFL). George F.L. Charles Airport is St Lucia's smallest airport, located in the island's capital, Castries. Hewanorra International Airport is the busiest of the two.

While Hewanorra International Airport is considered a great airport with friendly staff, it has been criticised for its lack of seating. One review states that "waiting seats should be added for persons waiting on rides", as it is a basic necessity provided by other airports. Another review mentions that the airport is "small but efficient with friendly staff".

The airport does offer a fast-track service for VIP arrivals, which includes comfortable seating, beverages, snacks, and WiFi in the Iyanola Executive Departure Lounge. However, this service comes at an additional cost and may not be accessible to all travellers.

The limited seating at St Lucia's airports can be a concern, especially for those who have to wait for extended periods. It is important for airports to provide adequate seating to ensure the comfort and convenience of their passengers. Seating is essential, particularly for elderly travellers, individuals with disabilities, or those with special needs.

To enhance the overall airport experience, it is recommended that airport authorities invest in sufficient seating options. This can include a variety of seating types, such as benches, individual seats, and lounge areas, to accommodate different passenger needs. Additionally, ensuring that the seating is well-maintained, clean, and comfortable can significantly improve the satisfaction of travellers using the airport.

Short-term parking at the airport

St Lucia has two airports: Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) and George F.L. Charles Airport (GFL) or SLU. Short-term parking is available at both airports.

Short-term parking at Hewanorra International Airport

Hewanorra International Airport is located on the southern tip of the island in Vieux Fort. It is the busiest of St Lucia's two airports. The airport has a large parking lot with both short-term and long-term parking options. Short-term parking is available free of charge in a 100-space parking area directly across from the entrance to the Departures Hall. Security in this area is basic. It is not necessary to book short-term parking in advance.

Short-term parking at George F.L. Charles Airport

George F.L. Charles Airport is an inter-island airport located in Castries. It is St Lucia's smallest airport. The airport offers both short-term and long-term parking options. The long-term parking area is shared with short-term parking, and it may be possible to arrange extra security. Short-term parking is usually free of charge.

Frequently asked questions