Roberta Aguirre
Barbados' airport is known as the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA), located in the southeast of the island, approximately 13km from the capital city of Bridgetown. The airport was formerly named Seawell Airport and was renamed posthumously after the first Premier of Barbados, Sir Grantley Herbert Adams, in 1976. Grantley Adams International Airport is the main air transportation hub for the Eastern Caribbean, accommodating large aircraft such as Boeing 747s and, in the past, Concorde aircraft. The airport has undergone upgrades and expansions to meet the needs of Barbados, including the addition of a new arrivals hall and improvements to car park equipment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Grantley Adams International Airport |
| Former Name | Seawell Airport |
| Location | 12.9 km (8.0 mi) from the centre of Bridgetown, the capital city of Barbados |
| Time Zone | Atlantic time zone (UTC−4:00) |
| World Area Code Region | No. 246 (by the US Department of Transportation) |
| Hub for | Caribbean Airways, REDjet, West Indies Executive Air, and Coconut Airways (a former flight training school) |
| Awards | "Caribbean's Leading Airport" at the World Travel Awards |
| Upgrades | Multi-phase US$100 million upgrade and expansion, including a new arrivals hall |
| Aircraft Handled | Large aircraft, including Boeing 747s and British Airways' Concorde |
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What You'll Learn
The airport's name and history
Barbados' airport is called Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA), located in the south-east of the island, approximately 12.9 km (8 miles) from the capital city of Bridgetown. The airport is named after Sir Grantley Herbert Adams, the first Premier of Barbados. Prior to this, the airport was named Seawell Airport.
The history of air transportation in Barbados dates back to September 1938 when a mail plane from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines landed on the site from Trinidad. At that time, there was only a grassy strip serving as a runway. The first recorded flight to Barbados was in 1929, landing at what is now the Rockley Golf Course.
Grantley Adams International Airport has undergone several upgrades and expansions over the years, including a US$100 million multi-phase project to add a new arrivals hall and improve infrastructure. The airport has been recognised as the "Caribbean's Leading Airport" at the World Travel Awards.
The airport has also played a significant role in regional security and international relations. In 1983, during the US-sponsored invasion of Grenada, then-Prime Minister Tom Adams, son of Sir Grantley Adams, offered the airport as a base for US military operations. The airport also served as a press centre for over 300 international journalists covering the intervention. Additionally, the airport was one of the few destinations for British Airways' Concorde aircraft, with regularly scheduled flights and repairs.
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Location and surroundings
The airport that serves Barbados is Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA), formerly known as Seawell Airport. It is located in the south-east of the island, approximately 12.9 km (8.0 mi) from the centre of the capital city, Bridgetown, in an area officially known as Seawell. The airport is not within the capital city, contrary to what most information services state.
Grantley Adams International Airport is the main air transportation hub for the Eastern Caribbean. It handles most large aircraft, including Boeing 747s, and was one of the few destinations for British Airways' Concorde aircraft, which made regularly scheduled flights to Barbados. The Concorde fleet has now been retired, and one of these aircraft is on display at the Barbados Concorde Experience Museum, located next to the airport.
The airport has undergone a multi-phase US$100 million upgrade and expansion, which included the addition of a new arrivals hall adjacent to the previous arrivals and departures terminals. The current infrastructure is supposed to meet the needs of Barbados until at least 2015. The Phase III construction project is yet to be completed and will involve changes to the aeroplane parking configuration.
The airport has an in-bound duty-free shop in the Arrivals Terminal, and porters are available to assist with luggage. Car hire, taxis, and public transportation are all easily accessible. On departure, passengers are dropped off near the airline counters, where they can check in and print their boarding passes.
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Facilities and services
The sole airport in Barbados is Grantley Adams International Airport (IATA code: BGI). It is located in the south-east of the island, approximately 13km (8 miles) from the capital city of Bridgetown. The airport has been recognised for its service excellence, winning the "Caribbean's Leading Airport" award at the World Travel Awards multiple times.
Grantley Adams International Airport offers a range of facilities and services to ensure a pleasant experience for travellers. Here are some of the key facilities and services available:
- A modern arrivals and departures terminal, with a recent upgrade adding a new arrivals hall adjacent to the previous arrivals/departures terminals.
- Check-in and bag drop desks located in Terminal 1, Ground Floor, which open four hours before departure and close one hour before departure.
- An in-bound duty-free shop in the Arrivals Terminal, offering a range of products for travellers.
- Friendly porters are available to assist with luggage, making the arrival process more convenient.
- A variety of shops and restaurants are available throughout the airport, providing travellers with dining and shopping options.
- Essential services such as a bank, post office, exchange bureau, pharmacy, and chapel are located within the airport premises.
- Free WiFi access is provided throughout the airport, allowing travellers to stay connected during their time in the airport.
- A business centre, known as the Club Caribbean Executive Lounge, caters to business travellers, offering a quiet and comfortable space to work or relax.
- Car rentals, taxis, and public transportation are easily accessible at the airport, providing convenient travel options for arriving and departing passengers.
- The airport provides accessible facilities and services to meet the needs of all travellers, ensuring a comfortable experience for everyone.
- The airport operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, accommodating various flight schedules and offering flexibility for travellers.
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Airlines and aircraft
Barbados' airport is called Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA), formerly known as Seawell Airport. It is located in the south-east of the island, approximately 13km (8 miles) from the capital city of Bridgetown. The airport has been awarded "Caribbean's Leading Airport" at the World Travel Awards.
Grantley Adams International Airport handles most large aircraft, including Boeing 747s. It was one of the few destinations where British Airways' Concorde aircraft made regularly scheduled flights, with the first Concorde visit in 1977 for the Queen's Silver Jubilee. During the 1980s, Concorde returned for commercial flights to Barbados during the busy winter season. The Concorde fleet has now been retired, and one of these aircraft is on display at the Barbados Concorde Experience Museum, located next to the airport.
The airport has undergone a multi-phase $100 million upgrade and expansion, which included the addition of a new arrivals hall adjacent to the previous arrivals/departures terminals. The current infrastructure is designed to meet the needs of Barbados until at least 2015. The Phase III construction project, which is yet to be completed, will involve changes to the aeroplane parking configuration.
Several airlines operate at Grantley Adams International Airport, including Virgin Atlantic, which offers online check-in and recommends arriving at the airport at least two hours before departure. The airport was once a hub for now-defunct Barbadian carriers Caribbean Airways and REDjet, and it is the current home of the charter carrier West Indies Executive Air. It also used to be the base for the flight training school Coconut Airways.
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Awards and recognition
The sole airport in Barbados is the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA), located in the area of Seawell, Christ Church, approximately 12.9km (8.0 mi) from the centre of the capital city Bridgetown. The airport has received numerous awards and recognition over the years.
Grantley Adams International Airport has been recognised on multiple occasions as the "Caribbean's Leading Airport" at the prestigious World Travel Awards in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, and 2004. In 2010, the Airport Council International (ACI) acknowledged the airport as one of the best facilities in the Caribbean and Latin America for service excellence, ranking it third in the region.
The airport has also been an important hub for aircraft such as the British Airways Concorde, which made regularly scheduled flights to Barbados during the winter season. The Concorde's first visit to Barbados was in 1977 for the Queen's Silver Jubilee, and it returned for commercial flights in the 1980s. The airport has undergone a US$100 million upgrade and expansion to accommodate the increasing aviation demands, with a new arrivals hall constructed adjacent to the previous arrivals/departures terminals.
In addition to its awards, the airport has played a significant role in regional security and stability. The United States established the Regional Security System (RSS) at the eastern Grantley Adams flight range as part of an agreement with Barbados. The RSS is a security unit focused on providing security for the Eastern Caribbean. The airport also served as a press centre for international journalists during the multi-national intervention in the neighbouring island of Grenada in 1983.
The Director of Operations of GAIA Inc., Piétrick Voyer, was awarded the title of "Airport Leader of the Future", reflecting the airport's commitment to innovation and development.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport in Barbados is called Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA).
The airport code for Grantley Adams International Airport is BGI.
The airport is situated approximately 12.9 km (8 miles) from the capital city of Bridgetown.
