St Lucia Airport: Size, Scale, And Scope Explored

Saint Lucia is served by two airports: Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) and George F.L. Charles Airport (SLU). Hewanorra International Airport is the larger of the two, located in Vieux Fort, about 40 miles (64 kilometres) or 53.4 kilometres from the capital city, Castries. It is the primary gateway for international travellers, serving destinations across the US East Coast, Canada, and the UK. George F.L. Charles Airport, on the other hand, is a smaller regional airport located in Castries, serving inter-Caribbean flights.

Hewanorra International Airport (UVF)

Hewanorra International Airport (IATA: UVF, ICAO: TLPL) is located in Vieux Fort Quarter, in the south of Saint Lucia, in the Caribbean. It is the island's primary international airport, serving most international visitors to Saint Lucia. It is the larger of the island's two airports, with the capacity to handle 700,000 passengers a year, and is managed by the Saint Lucia Air and Seaports Authority (SLASPA). The airport is around 53.4 km (33.2 miles) from the capital city, Castries, and around 45 minutes from Soufriere.

Hewanorra International Airport is served by a wide range of airlines, offering direct flights from destinations across the US East Coast, Canada, and the UK. American Airlines, for example, operates flights from Charlotte, North Carolina, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Miami, Florida. JetBlue Airlines offers direct flights from Boston, Massachusetts, and New York City. Air Canada and Transat provide direct flights from Toronto, Ontario, and Montreal, Quebec. European passengers can also find direct flights from London and Manchester, UK.

The airport offers various amenities, including shopping, dining options, and parking. It also has a small bank with currency exchange services. Taxis and rental cars are available at the airport, although it is recommended to obtain a temporary driving permit if renting a car.

Hewanorra International Airport was originally named Beane Army Airfield and was used as a military airfield by the United States Army Air Force during World War II. It was activated in 1941 with a mission to defend Saint Lucia and the Caribbean region against enemy attacks. After the war, the airfield was refurbished and converted into a commercial airport. Today, the airport continues to play a crucial role in connecting Saint Lucia to the rest of the world, contributing to the island's growing tourism industry.

George F.L. Charles Airport (SLU)

George F.L. Charles Airport is the smaller of St. Lucia's two airports, serving only the Caribbean region where St. Lucia is located. It primarily handles inter-island regional travel and is ideal for those embarking on island-hopping adventures or staying at resorts in the Caribbean. The airport is served by three regional airlines and sees around 32,000 flights annually. It offers a more compact and efficient experience, with facilities like snack bars and souvenir shops.

The airport is located about an hour from Soufriere, where many rental villas are located. It is also closer to Sandals Resorts than Hewanorra International Airport, making it a good choice for those travelling from other Caribbean destinations.

George F.L. Charles Airport handles inter-Caribbean passenger flights, which are currently operated with regional turboprop aircraft as well as smaller prop aircraft. It takes the regional airline LIAT and also American Eagle, out of Puerto Rico.

Airport location and travel time

St. Lucia is served by two airports: Hewanorra International Airport and George F.L. Charles Airport. The former is the larger of the two and is located near Vieux Fort Quarter on the southern end of the island, about 53.4 km (33.2 mi) from the capital city, Castries. The latter is the smaller airport, located in Castries itself.

Hewanorra International Airport is a Fire Category 9 facility that handles 700,000 passengers a year. It can accommodate large aircraft such as the Boeing 747, Airbus A330, and Airbus A340. The airport has a single east-west runway, with aircraft typically arriving along the west coast of St. Lucia and departing along the east coast.

George F.L. Charles Airport, on the other hand, handles inter-Caribbean passenger flights with turboprop and smaller prop aircraft. This airport is ideal for those connecting from other Caribbean islands or embarking on island-hopping adventures. It is located just outside Castries and offers a more compact and efficient experience with facilities like snack bars and souvenir shops.

Travel to and from the airports is straightforward, with all destinations on the fairly small island being reachable in a short amount of time. The furthest airport is only about an hour and a half away by car. Taxi services are available, but it is recommended to book in advance as taxis are not metered in St. Lucia and can be costly. Alternatively, helicopter transfers are available from Hewanorra International Airport to select hotels and resorts, offering a unique and exciting way to see the island.

Airlines and flights

St. Lucia is served by two airports: Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) in Vieux Fort, and George F.L. Charles Airport (SLU) in Castries. The former is the larger of the two and the only one serving international flights, while the latter is an inter-island airport.

Hewanorra International Airport is served by a vast number of airlines and has direct flights from locations across the US East Coast, Canada, and the UK. George F.L. Charles Airport, on the other hand, is served by three regional airlines: LIAT, Antilles, and Air Caraibes.

For passengers arriving via JetBlue Airlines, direct flights are offered from Boston, Massachusetts, New York City, and Atlanta, GA. American Airlines offers direct flights from Charlotte, North Carolina, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Miami, Florida, and Dallas, TX.

If you're travelling from Canada, Air Canada and Transat offer direct flights from Toronto, Ontario, and Montreal, Quebec. From Europe, you can find direct flights from London and Manchester, UK.

This depends on your origin and destination within St. Lucia. Hewanorra International Airport is located in the southern part of the island, about 40-45 minutes from Soufriere. George F.L. Charles Airport is located just outside Castries, the capital city, which is in the northern part of the island. The trip from this airport to Soufriere takes about an hour.

Airport history

Saint Lucia is served by two airports: Hewanorra International Airport (IATA: UVF, ICAO: TLPL) and George F.L. Charles Airport (SLU). Hewanorra International Airport is the larger of the two, located near Vieux Fort Quarter, about 53.4 km (33.2 mi) or 40 miles (64 km) from the capital city, Castries. It is the busiest and most popular airport in Saint Lucia, serving as the primary gateway for international visitors. The airport is equipped with modern facilities and services, including duty-free shopping, dining options, currency exchange, and car rental services. It accommodates various aircraft, including Boeing 747, Airbus A330, and Airbus A340, and handles around 700,000 passengers annually.

The history of Hewanorra International Airport dates back to World War II when it was known as Beane Field, a military airfield activated in 1941 to defend Saint Lucia and the Caribbean region from enemy attacks. It was operated by the U.S. Air Force and later renamed Beane Air Force Base before closing in 1949. The site was then refurbished and converted into a commercial airport. The name "Hewanorra" is derived from an Amerindian word meaning "(land of) the iguana".

In the 1960s, BWIA West Indies Airways introduced Boeing 727-100 "Sunjet" service to the airport, operating a weekly round trip between various Caribbean destinations, including St. Lucia, and Miami. By the 1970s, BWIA had upgraded to Boeing 707 jets for their round trips. Unfortunately, on February 19, 1979, a charter flight operated by Quebecair, a Boeing 707-123B from Toronto, crashed during its approach to Hewanorra International Airport due to wind shear.

In the 1990s, several airlines offered nonstop or direct flights to Hewanorra International Airport from major cities. American Airlines operated larger Boeing 767-300 wide-body jetliners from New York JFK Airport, while British Airways provided nonstop Boeing 747-200 service from Antigua, Barbados, and London Gatwick Airport. Additionally, BWIA, Air Canada, and other carriers offered convenient connections to and from Saint Lucia for travellers from North America and Europe.

Today, Hewanorra International Airport continues to be the preferred choice for international travellers to Saint Lucia, particularly those arriving from the United States, Canada, and Europe. It offers daily flights from several airlines and provides a range of amenities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for its passengers.

Frequently asked questions