Lois Larson
Grenada is a Caribbean island located north of Trinidad and is the southernmost of the Windward Islands chain. The country is home to the Grenada Airports Authority (GAA), a statutory corporation established by the Airports Authority Act, Revised Laws of Grenada of 1990. The GAA is responsible for the operation of the airports in Grenada and aims to provide world-class airport facilities and services. Grenada's principal airport gateway to the world is the Maurice Bishop International Airport, formerly known as Point Salines International Airport.
Airports in Grenada
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Maurice Bishop International Airport, formerly Point Salines International Airport |
| Location | Southwestern point of Grenada, 8km south of the capital, Saint George's |
| Elevation | 41 ft (12 m) above mean sea level |
| Runway | One runway designated 10/28 with an asphalt surface measuring 2,744 m × 45 m (9,003 ft × 148 ft) |
| Airlines | Air Canada, American Airlines, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, Fly Salone, interCaribbean Airways, JetBlue, Sunrise Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and WestJet |
| Destinations | 13 destinations including Toronto and Boston |
| Airport Code | GND |
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What You'll Learn
Grenada's largest airport
The airport is named after the late Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, who contended that the new airport was intended to make the island more accessible to tourists from Europe and North America. Previously, long-haul flights from these regions could not land on the shorter runway at the existing Pearls Airport, causing inconvenience and additional expenses for travellers.
Maurice Bishop International Airport is served by several airlines, including Air Canada, American Airlines, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, Fly Salone, interCaribbean Airways, JetBlue, Sunrise Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and WestJet. As of March 2025, there were 10 airlines operating flights to 19 destinations worldwide. The most frequently served route is the one to Bridgetown (BGI) in Barbados, with approximately 16 flights departing from Grenada every week.
The airport is an important transportation hub for both passengers and cargo in the Caribbean region. It is designed to accommodate larger aircraft, such as the Boeing 777 and the Airbus A330. The construction of the airport involved Canadian and European contractors, as well as the participation of two private American construction firms. The airport's first commercial passenger plane landed in October 1984, following the completion of construction with $19 million in American assistance.
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Grenada Airport's code and location
Grenada's airport, located in St. George's, has the airport code GND. The full name of the airport is Maurice Bishop International Airport, formerly Point Salines International Airport. It is located 8km south of the city on the island's southwestern point. The airport is an important hub for the Caribbean region, serving as a gateway for both passengers and cargo. Several airlines from the US, Caribbean, and Latin America fly to and from Grenada. Additionally, a few North American leisure carriers offer seasonal services. The airport is managed by the Grenada Airports Authority.
The airport sits at an elevation of 41 feet (12 m) above sea level and has a single runway, 10/28, with an asphalt surface measuring 2,744 m × 45 m (9,003 ft × 148 ft). The runway can accommodate large aircraft, including the Boeing 777 and the Airbus A330. As of March 2025, there are 10 airlines operating from Grenada Airport, providing connections to 19 destinations worldwide.
The history of the airport is tied to the US invasion of Grenada in 1983. The invasion was triggered by a violent coup in which Prime Minister Maurice Bishop was killed. The airport, then known as Point Salines International Airport, was still under construction at the time. US forces conducted a low-altitude parachute assault on the unfinished airport, securing it and allowing for the deployment of additional troops and transport planes. After the invasion, the airport's construction was completed with $19 million in American assistance. Its first commercial passenger flight landed on October 28, 1984.
In 2009, the airport was renamed Maurice Bishop International Airport in honour of the late Prime Minister. Today, it is a modern and functional airport, serving as a vital gateway to Grenada and facilitating the growth of the country's tourism industry.
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Airlines that fly to Grenada
Grenada's Maurice Bishop International Airport (formerly Point Salines International Airport) is located 8km from the island's capital, Saint George's, and is served by several US, Caribbean, and Latin American airlines. The airport is also accessible by North American leisure carriers that offer seasonal services.
As of March 2025, 10 airlines fly from Grenada to 19 airports worldwide. These include Air Canada, American Airlines, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, Fly Salone, interCaribbean Airways, JetBlue, Sunrise Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and WestJet. Caribbean Airlines is the largest airline at the airport, with around 17 scheduled take-offs per week. The second-largest operator from Grenada is interCaribbean Airways.
The airport is an important cargo and passenger hub for the Caribbean region. It is located on the southwestern point of the island and is elevated 41 ft (12 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway, designated 10/28, with an asphalt surface measuring 2,744 m × 45 m (9,003 ft × 148 ft).
The most frequently departed route from Grenada is to Bridgetown (BGI) in Barbados, with an average of 16 flights every week. Grenada's airport also offers direct, non-stop flights to Toronto (YYZ) and Boston (BOS).
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History of the airport
Grenada has one airport, the Maurice Bishop International Airport (formerly Point Salines International Airport), which is located in the capital, St. George's. The airport is about 8km south of the city, on the island's southwestern point.
The airport was initially called Point Salines airport, and its construction was intended to make the island more accessible to European and North American tourists. The Grenadian government hoped that their tourist trade would increase if direct flights from Europe and North America were possible. The existing airport, Pearls, had a short and geographically difficult runway that could not accommodate the long-range jets carrying tourists. As a result, tourists bound for Grenada had to endure delays and the additional expenses and risks of changing to smaller planes operated by regional carriers.
The 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. However, in October 1983, the unfinished airport was chosen as the jump-off point for the US-led invasion of Grenada, which was precipitated by a violent coup in which Prime Minister Maurice Bishop was killed. The American justification for the invasion was the perceived threat to American medical students at St. George's University, located near the airport. On October 25, 1983, US Army Rangers conducted a low-altitude parachute assault onto the airport, securing their objectives despite resistance from Grenadian armed forces and armed Cuban construction workers.
Following the invasion, the airport was completed with $19 million in American assistance. On October 28, 1984, the airport landed its first commercial passenger plane. In 2009, the airport was renamed Maurice Bishop International Airport in honour of the late Prime Minister. Today, the airport serves as an important passenger and cargo hub for the Caribbean region, with several airlines from the US, Caribbean, and Latin America serving the airport.
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Other nearby airports
Grenada's main airport is the Maurice Bishop International Airport (formerly Point Salines International Airport), located 8km south of the capital, Saint George's. The airport is served by several US, Caribbean, and Latin American airlines, as well as a number of North American leisure carriers that offer seasonal services.
There are several other airports located within a reasonable distance from Grenada, offering alternative travel options for those looking to explore the region:
Argyle International Airport in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is approximately 139 km from Grenada. This airport connects the region to various international destinations, with regular flights to and from North America, Europe, and other Caribbean islands.
Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson International Airport in Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago, is about 141 km from Grenada. This airport serves as a hub for several regional and international carriers, providing connections to North America, Europe, and other parts of the Caribbean.
Piarco International Airport in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, located around 168 km from Grenada, is one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean. It serves as a major gateway to the region, offering a wide range of international and regional flights.
Hewanorra International Airport in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, is approximately 206 km from Grenada. This airport is a popular gateway to the southern Caribbean, offering regular flights to and from North America, Europe, and other Caribbean destinations.
George F. L. Charles Airport in Castries, Saint Lucia, located about 234 km from Grenada, is a smaller, more intimate airport compared to some of the larger hubs in the region. It offers a range of regional flights, connecting travellers to other Caribbean islands.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport in Grenada is called the Maurice Bishop International Airport, formerly known as Point Salines International Airport.
The airport is located on the southwestern point of the island, 8km south of the capital city, Saint George's.
The airport code for Grenada is GND.
There are 13 destinations that you can fly to from Grenada, with 10 different airlines.
