Jazmin Li
Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States, is home to several airports, including the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport in Isla Grande, and the Rafael Hernández Airport (BQN) in Aguadilla. The Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is the busiest in the Caribbean, handling 93% of passenger flow and 90% of air cargo into Puerto Rico. It is owned by the Puerto Rico Ports Authority and managed by Aerostar Airport Holdings. The island's smaller airports include the Mercedita International Airport (PSE) in Ponce, which offers a handful of commercial flights from the mainland US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport |
| Other names | San Juan Airport, Isla Verde International Airport |
| Location | Carolina, Puerto Rico |
| Year of construction | 1947 |
| Owner | Puerto Rico Ports Authority |
| Manager | Aerostar Airport Holdings |
| Ranking by passenger enplanement | 39th |
| Ranking by international passenger traffic | 28th |
| Ranking by cargo throughput | 23rd |
| Number of runways | 1 |
| Number of passengers | 4 million |
| Airlines | Avelo Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier Airlines, Air Flamenco, United Airlines, Cape Air, Air Antilles, Tradewind Aviation, Silver Airways, Intercaribbean Airways, and more |
| Destinations | Madrid, Spain; Bogotá, Colombia; Panamá City, Panamá; Culebra; Vieques; Caribbean islands |
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What You'll Learn
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
The airport is owned by the Puerto Rico Ports Authority and managed by Aerostar Airport Holdings, a public-private partnership that began operating the airport in 2013. SJU was the second international airport to be privatized in the United States and its territories, and as of 2024, it is the only privatized airport in the country.
SJU is the Caribbean's busiest airport, with nearly four million passengers travelling through it each year. It is a hub for travellers visiting Puerto Rico and other islands in the Caribbean. The airport offers daily flights to over 12 destinations in the Caribbean, Latin America, and Europe. Airlines that operate flights to and from SJU include Avelo Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United, Spirit, Frontier, and Cape Air, among others.
SJU provides parking and transportation options, including hourly parking by the main entrance and public transportation. The airport also features duty-free shops and an expedited identity validation system called CLEAR, which provides quick identity verification and faster access to airport security lines.
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Rafael Hernández Airport (BQN)
Rafael Hernández Airport (IATA: BQN, ICAO: TJBQ, FAA LID: BQN), also known as Rafael Hernández International Airport, is located in the municipality of Aguadilla in northwestern Puerto Rico. It is named after the famous Puerto Rican composer, Rafael Hernández Marín. Covering an area of 1600 acres, the airport has one runway, 8/26, which is 11,702 ft long and 200 ft wide, making it the longest runway in the Caribbean. The airport is home to Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations.
Rafael Hernández Airport is the second-busiest airport in Puerto Rico in terms of passenger traffic, with almost half a million passengers passing through each year. It is a key link between Puerto Rico's beach-fringed Porta del Sol region and the United States mainland, offering flights to destinations such as Florida, New York, and other parts of the USA, the Caribbean, and South America. The airport has a variety of facilities for passengers, including a passenger terminal with an international side capable of handling flights of over 200 passengers, a Main Cargo Terminal, a FedEx Terminal, and a General Aviation Terminal.
The airport has a rich history, with attempts by the Ahrens Aircraft Corporation in the 1970s to set up manufacturing operations at the former USAF industrial facilities. However, the project was cancelled after a government investigation into the financial incentives involved. In 2004, the Puerto Rico Ports Authority announced plans to remodel and expand the airport, and in 2010, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved a $1 billion master plan for redevelopment over the next 20 years. The expansion includes adding a second runway, renovating the existing runway, and expanding the terminal building and airport access road.
Rafael Hernández Airport is served by several major airlines, including Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, and Prinair Charter. It offers convenient transportation options, such as public parking, taxis, and shuttle services, making it a popular choice for travellers exploring the Porta del Sol region.
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Mercedita International Airport (PSE)
The airport was inaugurated on 6 November 1955, after the previous Ponce Airport at the nearby Losey Field failed to meet new safety requirements. It was originally called Mercedita Airport, but on 1 November 1990, it was renamed Mercedita International Airport following the addition of customs and border control facilities.
Mercedita International Airport is a small commercial airport with a single runway. It features a few small duty-free shops, limited parking, and taxi and shuttle services to reach Ponce. In 2007, the airport served 251,000 passengers, an increase of 28% from the previous year. JetBlue, Frontier, and other airlines provide daily non-stop services to destinations like Orlando, New York, and Atlanta.
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Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport
The Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport, also known as the Isla Grande Airport, is located next to San Juan's Convention District, Old San Juan, and the neighbourhood of Condado. It is named after United States Air Force Major Fernando Luis Ribas-Dominicci, an F-111 pilot who was killed in action during the 1986 airstrike of Libya, Operation El Dorado Canyon. Covering 102 acres of land at an elevation of 10 feet above sea level, the airport has a single runway, 9/27, with an asphalt surface measuring 5,539 by 100 feet.
The airport is a convenient option for travellers flying directly to Puerto Rico's island municipalities, Vieques and Culebra. It offers daily flights through three local airlines and private charters. In addition to its commercial operations, the airport also accommodates military flights, with the San Juan Army Aviation Support Facility, operated by the Puerto Rico Army National Guard, being the only military site present.
The airport has experienced several notable incidents. On December 21, 1991, a United Airlines Boeing 757 flight destined for San Juan's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport mistakenly landed at Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport. The aircraft was later flown without passengers to its original destination, while the passengers were transported by bus to their hotels. On June 7, 1992, an Executive Air (for American Eagle) aircraft departing from Dominicci Airport crashed in Mayagüez, resulting in the tragic loss of both crew members and all three passengers. Another incident occurred in December 2002 when a rented helicopter was hijacked from the airport and used to aid the escape of six inmates from a jail in Ponce. Fortunately, the pilot was able to outwit the prisoners and safely return to the airport.
In addition to these events, on July 4, 2017, an aircraft that had taken off from Ribas Dominicci Airport crashed nearby at a bay. Between 2007 and 2009, the airport served as the flight hub for Puerto Rico's unofficial flag carrier, Prinair, during the airline's brief return to operations.
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San Juan Airport
The airport serves as a hub for several airlines, including Cape Air, Air Sunshine, Silver Airways, and JetBlue, which is the largest carrier in San Juan. There are around 30 airlines offering services to domestic and international destinations, with flights to the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, and the United States. San Juan Airport receives more than eight million passengers annually, with around 51 daily flights operated by JetBlue alone.
The airport has undergone several upgrades and improvements over the years, including the addition of Terminal A in 2012, new pavement and expansions, new lighting systems, press conference rooms, and a consolidated security area for Terminals B, C, and D. The airport also offers a variety of tax-free shops, duty-free shops, and restaurants for passengers to enjoy during their time there.
In addition to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, there are several other airports in Puerto Rico, including the Rafael Hernández Airport (BQN) in Aguadilla, the Mercedita International Airport (PSE) in Ponce, and the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (also known as Aeropuerto de Isla Grande) in San Juan. These smaller airports offer flights to nearby islands and Caribbean destinations, as well as commercial flights to mainland cities in the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
The Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) is the busiest airport in Puerto Rico, handling 93% of passenger flow and 90% of air cargo. It is located in Carolina, Puerto Rico, just a few miles from downtown San Juan.
The second-largest airport in Puerto Rico is the Rafael Hernández Airport (BQN) in Aguadilla, followed by the Mercedita International Airport (PSE) in Ponce, which is the third-largest airport.
Some attractions near the airport include pedaling a water bike on Old San Juan Bay, exploring the city on a food or history tour, and experiencing the longest zipline in the El Yunque Rainforest.
