Owais Crawford
Bermuda, a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean, is served by the L.F. Wade International Airport, formerly known as Bermuda International Airport. It is Bermuda's sole airport and is located in the parish of St. George's, about 11 kilometres northeast of the capital, Hamilton. The airport has a rich history, initially serving as a joint US Army Air Forces (USAAF) and Royal Air Force (RAF) base during World War II. Over the years, it has undergone significant transformations and is now managed by Skyport, offering flights to various destinations, including the Azores, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
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What You'll Learn
L.F. Wade International Airport
The airport was constructed during World War II as a joint US Army Air Forces (USAAF) and Royal Air Force (RAF) base, called Kindley Field. After the war, the RAF Commander loaned to the Bermuda Government converted the RAF facilities into the Civil Air Terminal. The airport was previously a flying boat facility on Darrell's Island, but in 1948, land planes began operating through the airfield.
The airfield was built between 1941 and 1943 by levelling Long Bird Island and several smaller islands, and filling in the waterways with reclaimed land to connect to St. David's Island. This created a contiguous landmass with St. David's. The airfield originally had three runways, but only one remains in use today. The other former runways are now a taxiway connecting the active runway to aprons one and two.
In 1970, the field was transferred to the US Navy, which operated it as the US Naval Air Station, Bermuda, until 1995. The US Navy terminated its 99-year lease, transferring the field to the Bermuda Government, which now operates it as part of the Ministry of Tourism and Transport.
On 16 April 2007, the airport was renamed L.F. Wade International Airport in honour of L. Frederick Wade, a former leader of the Progressive Labour Party. The airport is currently managed and operated by Bermuda Skyport Corporation Limited, which was granted a 30-year concession in 2017. A new passenger terminal was completed in 2020.
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Location and surroundings
Bermuda L.F. Wade International Airport, formerly known as Bermuda International Airport, is the only airport in Bermuda. It is located in the parish of St. George's, 6 nautical miles (11 kilometres) northeast of Bermuda's capital, Hamilton. The airport is on the west side of St. David's Island, south of Ferry Reach, placing it in the archipelago's East End.
The airport covers 536 acres (217 ha) of land and contains one runway, which is 9,713 feet long and 150 feet wide. There are eleven taxiways, all 75 feet wide, and eight aircraft parking bays. The airport has one passenger terminal and one cargo terminal.
The airfield was constructed during World War II for use as Kindley Field, a joint US Army Air Forces (USAAF)/Royal Air Force (RAF) base. It was built between 1941 and 1943 by levelling Long Bird Island and several smaller islands and filling in the waterways with reclaimed land. The first terminal was assembled using pre-fabricated buildings relocated from Darrell's Island. The airport opened in January 1946.
In 1970, the airfield was transferred to the United States Navy, which operated it as US Naval Air Station, Bermuda, until 1995. The US Navy terminated its 99-year lease and transferred the field to the Bermuda Government, which now operates the airport as part of the Ministry of Tourism & Transport.
The airport was renamed L.F. Wade International Airport on 16 April 2007, in honour of L. Frederick Wade, a former leader of the Progressive Labour Party. In 2016, the airport handled 402,925 passengers, and in 2017, it handled almost five hundred thousand passengers. Nine passenger or cargo airlines operate seasonal or year-round scheduled services from the Azores, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
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History
Bermuda L.F. Wade International Airport, formerly named Bermuda International Airport, is the only airport serving the British overseas territory of Bermuda in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is located in the parish of St. George's, 6 nautical miles (11 kilometres; 6.9 miles) northeast of Bermuda's capital, Hamilton.
The airfield was constructed during World War II for use as Kindley Field, a joint US Army Air Forces (USAAF)/Royal Air Force (RAF) base. It was built between 1941 and 1943 by levelling Long Bird Island and several smaller islands and filling in the waterways with reclaimed land between them and St. David's Island. This created a contiguous landmass with St. David's Island. The airfield originally had three runways, but only the longest is still in use today.
When the pre-war airport on Darrell's Island closed in 1948, Bermuda's air routes were taken over by land planes operating through the airfield. By then, it was operated by the United States Air Force as Kindley Air Force Base. In 1970, the field was transferred to the United States Navy, which operated it as US Naval Air Station, Bermuda until 1995. The US Navy terminated its 99-year lease and transferred the field to the Bermuda Government, which now operates the airport as part of the Ministry of Tourism and Transport.
On 16 April 2007, the airport was renamed L.F. Wade International Airport in honour of L. Frederick Wade, a former leader of the incumbent governing party (the Progressive Labour Party) when it was in opposition. The name change was criticised by the opposition United Bermuda Party for being politically biased. In 2016, the airport handled 402,925 passengers, a 5.6% increase from 2006. In 2017, the airport handled almost five hundred thousand passengers.
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Airlines and destinations
L.F. Wade International Airport is Bermuda's only airport, located on St. David's Island on the East End. The airport offers year-round routes to major hubs in the US, Canada, and Europe, including New York City, Boston, London, and Toronto. It is served by several airlines, providing convenient travel options for passengers travelling to and from Bermuda.
American Airlines
American Airlines is a major carrier serving Bermuda, offering convenient connections to and from the United States. The airline provides daily flights between Bermuda and New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Additionally, American Airlines operates flights to Boston's Logan International Airport (BOS) and has been serving the Bermuda route since 1975. The airline also offers connections to Washington, D.C. (DCA and WAS), providing multiple travel options for passengers travelling between Bermuda and the United States.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines is another prominent carrier serving Bermuda, with a presence in multiple destinations. The airline offers flights to New York, Boston, and Atlanta, providing daily connections to these key US cities. Delta's network extends beyond Bermuda, connecting passengers to a broader range of destinations through its hub airports.
JetBlue
JetBlue is a popular choice for travellers heading to Bermuda, with a focus on the eastern seaboard of the United States. The airline operates flights to both JFK in New York and Boston, providing daily connections to these metropolitan areas. JetBlue's service to Bermuda offers comfortable travel options and convenient scheduling for passengers.
British Airways
British Airways is the carrier of choice for those travelling between Bermuda and London, offering daily flights between the two destinations. The airline provides a direct connection between Bermuda and London's Heathrow Airport (LHR), previously operating from London Gatwick until March 28, 2021. British Airways offers a seamless travel experience and a range of onboard services to make the transatlantic journey enjoyable for passengers.
WestJet
WestJet is the airline of choice for travellers heading to Bermuda from Canada. The airline operates daily flights between Bermuda and Toronto, providing a direct link between the two destinations. With a focus on convenience and comfort, WestJet offers a seamless travel experience for those travelling between Bermuda and Canada.
In addition to these airlines, L.F. Wade International Airport is also served by other carriers, including Air Canada, United Airlines, and local airlines. These airlines contribute to the airport's connectivity, providing seasonal or year-round scheduled services to various destinations. The airport's recent awards at the 2024 ACI World Summit in Atlanta testify to its excellence in serving passengers and meeting international standards.
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Facilities and services
Bermuda's L.F. Wade International Airport is the only international airport serving the island. It offers flights to North America and Europe, with nine passenger or cargo airlines operating seasonal or year-round scheduled services from the Azores, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The airport has one passenger terminal, one cargo terminal, and eight aircraft stands, covering 536 acres of land.
L.F. Wade International Airport provides the following facilities and services:
- A tourist information desk in the terminal building, offering advice about the airport and Bermuda.
- A small selection of shops, including those selling books, magazines, perfume, jewellery, clothing, and souvenirs.
- A store at arrivals offering wine, spirits, and tobacco at duty-free prices, as well as gifts and souvenirs.
- Shops at departures, selling souvenirs, beauty products, gift collections, and refreshments, open from the first flight check-in until the last flight departure.
- A full-service bar and restaurant located before security, serving Bermuda-inspired cocktails, beers, spirits, and Bermuda's signature dishes.
- A premium lounge with a limited range of business services, including meeting areas, Wi-Fi access, mobile device charging facilities, and bathrooms with showers. The lounge can be accessed with airline passes, loyalty cards, corporate affiliations, or by purchasing a lounge pass for $49 per person.
- Short-term parking in front of the terminal building and long-term parking near the old terminal building.
- A modern disabled passenger transporter system capable of transporting up to six wheelchair-bound passengers from terminal gates to aircraft cabins, available by prior request.
- US Customs and Immigration preclearance, allowing US-bound passengers to clear customs in Bermuda and have their flights treated as domestic upon arrival in the US.
- Airport Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) services, provided by the Bermuda Fire Service.
- Airport Security Police, enforcing airside regulations and security.
- Bermuda Weather Service, providing weather information.
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Frequently asked questions
The main airport in Bermuda is L.F. Wade International Airport.
The airport is located in the parish of St. George's, 6 nautical miles (11 kilometres; 6.9 miles) northeast of Bermuda's capital, Hamilton.
The airport was constructed during World War II for use as Kindley Field, a joint US Army Air Forces (USAAF)/Royal Air Force (RAF) base. It was opened in January 1946 as Kindley Field Airport and was renamed L.F. Wade International Airport in 2007 in honour of L. Frederick Wade, a former leader of the Progressive Labour Party.
