Roberta Aguirre
Puerto Rico has several key airports that make travelling to and around the island easy and convenient. The main gateway is Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, the busiest airport in the Caribbean. In the west, Rafael Hernández Airport (BQN) in Aguadilla serves as a hub for visitors heading to surf towns and coastal escapes. Other airports include Mercedita International Airport (PSE) in Ponce and Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (also known as Isla Grande Airport) in San Juan, which is ideal for those wanting to explore Puerto Rico's smaller islands, like Culebra and Vieques.
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What You'll Learn
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, also known as San Juan Airport (SJU), is located in Isla Verde, in the Carolina district of Puerto Rico. It is the largest and busiest airport in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, handling 93% of passenger flow and 90% of air cargo to the territory. The airport is just a few miles from downtown San Juan, making it a great spot for those travelling to Puerto Rico's capital city.
SJU airport is accessible, with parking and transportation options available on-site. Close to four million passengers travel through the airport each year, with hundreds of direct and non-stop flights arriving and departing daily from around the world. Over 20 commercial airlines fly in and out of the airport every day, with 120+ daily non-stop flights to major cities in the United States. Non-stop flights are available to destinations such as Miami, New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Denver. Airlines that fly between Puerto Rico and the USA include American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, and United.
SJU airport was built on 1,718.72 acres of land. The facilities, which cost $22 million, included a six-story passenger terminal, a control tower, a 7,800-foot runway, a cargo building, and a hotel. The airport was inaugurated on May 22, 1955, by Governor Luis Muñoz Marín, who highlighted the importance of the airport for the development of Puerto Rico's economy.
Prior to the construction of SJU airport, Isla Grande Airport (now Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport) served as Puerto Rico's main airport. However, the 4,000-foot runway at Isla Grande could not accommodate modern aircraft, so a new airport was planned and constructed in Isla Verde. The design of SJU airport was carried out by the firm of Toro-Ferrer, founded by architects Miguel Ferrer and Osvaldo Toro. Construction began in 1947, with the first phase involving cleaning, filling, levelling, and drainage of soils.
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Rafael Hernández Airport (BQN)
Rafael Hernández Airport (IATA: BQN, ICAO: TJBQ, FAA LID: BQN), also referred to as the Rafael Hernández International Airport, is located in the municipality of Aguadilla in northwestern Puerto Rico. Named after the famous Puerto Rican composer Rafael Hernández Marín, it is the island's second-busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic, after the main airport, Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. Covering an area of 1600 acres, BQN has one runway, 8/26, which is 11,702 ft x 200 ft (3,567 m x 61 m) and made of asphalt and concrete. The airport serves as a key link between Puerto Rico's Porta del Sol and the United States mainland, with almost half a million passengers passing through its modern facilities each year.
The north side of the airport consists of a passenger terminal with an international side capable of handling flights of over 200 passengers. It also houses the Main Cargo Terminal, the FedEx Terminal, and the General Aviation Terminal. Additionally, the north side is home to the Copeca Jet Center Executive Terminal and five service hangars. BQN offers public parking as well as taxi and transportation services for those who want to explore the Porta del Sol region, known for its beautiful coast and water activities.
The military side of the airport is also located on the north side. It houses Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen, a United States Coast Guard facility, as well as the 141st Air Control Squadron, which operates at the Punta Borinquen Radar Station. The airport is also home to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations. In the past, Rafael Hernández Airport has been served by several passenger air carriers, including American Airlines, Pan Am, and Trans World Airlines (TWA).
In 2004, the Puerto Rico Ports Authority announced plans to remodel and expand BQN, including expanding the terminal building and constructing a new parking lot. In 2010, a master plan was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the redevelopment of the airport, involving a $1 billion investment over 20 years. The expansion plan includes building a new runway to replace the current one, which was constructed in the 1930s and has only five years of service life remaining.
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Mercedita International Airport (PSE)
Puerto Rico has two principal airports that offer trips from major cities in the United States, international destinations, and other Caribbean islands. The main gateway is the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, the busiest airport in the Caribbean. The second largest airport in Puerto Rico is the Rafael Hernández Airport (BQN) in Aguadilla, serving as a hub for visitors heading to surf towns and coastal escapes.
In 1949, the runway of the nearby Ponce Airport (then Losey Field) was deemed insufficient for newer airport safety requirements, and operations were suspended. This led to the construction of a new airport at Mercedita Airfield, which was inaugurated in November 1955. The airport was formerly called Mercedita Airport, but on 1 November 1990, it was renamed "Mercedita International Airport" after the addition of customs and border control facilities.
Mercedita International Airport offers a handful of commercial flights from the mainland US, mainly to cities like Orlando and New York City. JetBlue and Frontier Airlines are among the airlines serving the airport. The airport has seen an increase in passenger flow over the years, with 251,000 passengers in 2007, a 1,228% increase over fiscal year 2003.
The airport has a few duty-free shops, limited parking, and taxi and shuttle options to reach Ponce. Close to the airport, you can explore the city of Ponce, visit museums, or check out the nightlife. For those looking to explore the blue waters, a trip to Caja de Muertos Island is recommended.
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Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (Isla Grande Airport)
Puerto Rico has several key airports, making travelling to and around the island easy and convenient. The island's main gateway is Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, the busiest airport in the Caribbean. Regional airports across the island provide easy access to Puerto Rico's hidden gems, from beach towns to the nearby islands of Vieques and Culebra.
The Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport, also known as the Isla Grande Airport, is located in San Juan, next to the Condado neighbourhood and Old San Juan. It is conveniently close to San Juan's Convention District. This airport is ideal for travellers interested in booking direct flights to Puerto Rico's two island municipalities, Vieques and Culebra. It is also a convenient hub for island-hopping adventures, offering daily regional flights through local airlines and private charters.
Isla Grande Airport is a smaller airport with a single runway. It was once the main airport of Puerto Rico until the construction of the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in 1955. Isla Grande Airport was renamed in honour of United States Air Force Major Fernando Luis Ribas-Dominicci, an F-111 pilot who was killed in action during Operation El Dorado Canyon, the 1986 airstrike of Libya.
The San Juan Army Aviation Support Facility, operated by the Puerto Rico Army National Guard, is the only military site at the airport. Its mission is to provide aviation maintenance support and repair to the Puerto Rico Army National Guard and other units. The military aircraft at this facility include UH-72 Lakota and UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and the Beechcraft C-12 Huron.
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San Juan Airport
The airport is 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 more than 20 commercial airlines flying in and out of the city daily. The airport offers hundreds of direct and non-stop flights to major cities in the United States, international destinations, and other Caribbean islands.
The history of the airport dates back to the 1940s when the Puerto Rican government recognised the importance of aviation for the island's economic development. At that time, the main airport was Isla Grande Airport, which could not accommodate the newer jet aircraft. Construction of the new airport began in 1947, and it was inaugurated on May 22, 1955, as Puerto Rico International Airport. The airport has undergone upgrades over the years, including the addition of Terminal A in 2012 and various improvements in 2013.
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Frequently asked questions
The Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) is the largest and busiest airport in Puerto Rico. It is located in Isla Verde, in the Carolina district, just minutes away from San Juan.
The Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is also known as the San Juan Airport or the Isla Verde International Airport.
The second-largest airport in Puerto Rico is the Rafael Hernández Airport (BQN) in Aguadilla. It is a civil-military airport on the west coast, named after a famous Puerto Rican composer.
The Mercedita International Airport (PSE) in Ponce is Puerto Rico's third-largest airport. It is a small commercial airport with just one runway, ideal for those travelling in the south of the island.
The Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport, commonly known as the Isla Grande Airport, is the best airport for travelling to Puerto Rico's smaller islands, such as Culebra and Vieques.
