Roberta Aguirre
The main airport on the Caribbean island of Grenada is Maurice Bishop International Airport, formerly known as Point Salines International Airport. It is located on a peninsula in the southwestern section of the island, around six to seven miles from the capital, St. George's. The airport is named after former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, who championed the construction project in 1979. The airport was designed to replace the obsolete Pearls Airport, which had a short and geographically difficult runway that could not accommodate long-range jets carrying European and North American tourists.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Maurice Bishop International Airport |
| Former Name | Point Salines International Airport |
| Location | Parish of St. George's, Grenada |
| Distance from St. George's | 5-7 miles |
| Elevation | 41 ft (12 m) above mean sea level |
| Runway | 2,744 m × 45 m (9,003 ft × 148 ft) |
| Number of Runways | 2 |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Runway Lighting | Yes |
| Airlines | LIAT, Air Canada |
| Facilities | Tourist information desk, free Wi-Fi, public telephone, charging points, accessible toilets, ramps, and wheelchairs |
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What You'll Learn
The airport is named after former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop
The main airport on the island of Grenada, serving the capital city of St. George's, is named after former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop. The airport, formerly known as Point Salines Airport, is located on Point Salines, the southwesternmost point of the island. It is around 7km (4 miles) southwest of St. George's.
Maurice Bishop was a Grenadian revolutionary and the leader of the New Jewel Movement (NJM), a communist party. He served as the Prime Minister of Grenada from March 1979 until his death in October 1983. Bishop championed the construction of the airport, which was designed to replace the obsolete Pearls Airport on the north side of the island. The airport was intended to make the island more accessible to tourists from Europe and North America, as the existing airport could not accommodate long-range jets.
The construction of the airport was partially carried out by Cuban workers, which, along with the involvement of Cuban construction workers, was used by U.S. President Ronald Reagan as evidence that the Grenadian government intended to allow the airport to be used as a waypoint for Soviet military aircraft en route to Cuba. This perception, along with a violent coup in which Bishop was killed, led to the U.S.-led invasion of Grenada in October 1983. The unfinished airport served as the jump-off point for the invasion.
After the invasion, the airport was completed with $19 million in American assistance. It was renamed Maurice Bishop International Airport in 2009 to honour the late Prime Minister. The airport is a testament to Bishop's vision of improving Grenada's accessibility and promoting tourism on the island.
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It is located 7-10km southwest of the capital, St. George's
The Maurice Bishop International Airport is located 7-10km southwest of Grenada's capital, St. George's. It is the only international airport in Grenada, serving as the main airport for the island. It is situated on a peninsula in the extreme southwestern section of the island, on Point Salines, the most southwestern point of Grenada. The airport is named after former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop (1944–1983), who advocated for its construction to replace the obsolete Pearls Airport on the island's north side. The new airport was designed to accommodate larger jets that couldn't land on the shorter runway at Pearls, making Grenada more accessible to tourists from Europe and North America.
The airport is easily accessible from St. George's, with a drive time of approximately 20 minutes via the coastal road southbound and the Maurice Bishop Highway. The city of St. George's is just about 6-10km from the airport, making transfers quick and convenient. Additionally, there are various transportation options available at the airport, including taxi and limousine services, as well as five rental car agencies.
Maurice Bishop International Airport provides essential connections to Grenada from various Caribbean islands and international destinations. It offers facilities and services to ensure a smooth travel experience, including a tourist information desk operated by the Grenada Board of Tourism, where visitors can obtain information on accommodation, tour packages, exchange rates, and more. The airport is designed to meet international standards and support the economic development of Grenada.
With its strategic location, modern infrastructure, and connectivity options, the Maurice Bishop International Airport plays a vital role in facilitating travel to and from Grenada, contributing to the island's tourism industry and economic growth.
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It's the only international airport on the island
The Maurice Bishop International Airport, formerly known as Point Salines International Airport, is the only international airport on the island of Grenada in the Caribbean. It is located on a peninsula in the extreme southwestern section of the island, about 6-7 miles from the capital city of St. George's. The airport is named after former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop (1944–1983), who advocated for its construction to replace the obsolete Pearls Airport, which had a short and geographically challenging runway that could not accommodate long-range jets. The new airport was designed to make the island more accessible to European and North American tourists, with the Grenadian government hoping for a significant increase in its tourist trade.
Maurice Bishop International Airport is the main airport serving St. George's and the rest of Grenada. It has a single runway designated 10/28 with an asphalt surface measuring 2,744 meters by 45 meters (9,003 feet by 148 feet) and an elevation of 12 meters (41 feet) above mean sea level. The runway is equipped with airfield lighting systems for night operations and is designed to accommodate large aircraft such as the Boeing 747-400.
The airport offers various facilities and services to ensure a smooth travel experience. It provides easy access to taxis and limousines, and there are several rental car agencies operating at the airport. For physically disabled passengers, the terminal features accessible toilets, ramps, and wheelchair availability upon request, along with clearly marked disabled parking spaces. Additionally, free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the terminal building, and there is a public telephone and charging points for electronic devices on the ground floor. A tourist information desk operated by the Grenada Board of Tourism is located in the arrival hall, providing assistance with hotel accommodation, tour packages, exchange rates, and general inquiries.
Several airlines serve Maurice Bishop International Airport, offering connections to other Caribbean islands and international destinations. LIAT, for example, provides connections to Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia, and Trinidad. Additionally, Air Canada operates a biweekly service from Toronto to Grenada, with easy connections from other Canadian cities. The airport is approximately a 20-minute drive from St. George's via the Maurice Bishop Highway, making it convenient for travellers to reach their final destinations on the island quickly and efficiently.
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It has two runways on one strip
Grenada is a small island country in the southeastern Caribbean Sea. The main airport serving Grenada is the Maurice Bishop International Airport, located in the parish of St. George's, the capital of Grenada. The airport is situated on Point Salines, the southwestern tip of the island.
The Maurice Bishop International Airport has a unique runway system, consisting of two runways, 10 and 28, on a single strip. This design allows for efficient aircraft movement and accommodates large aircraft like the Boeing 747-400. The runways are equipped with airfield lighting for night operations. The airport is elevated at 41 feet (12 meters) above mean sea level.
The single runway strip is designated 10/28 and has an asphalt surface. It measures 2,744 meters in length and 45 meters in width, or 9,003 feet by 148 feet. This length is a significant improvement over the previous Pearls Airport's runway, which was too short for long-range jets from Europe and North America, hindering tourism to the island.
The airport's cargo terminal handles various cargo types, including general cargo, perishable goods, and hazardous materials. The warehousing and handling of cargo are managed by the Aviation Services of Grenada (ASG), a subsidiary of the Grenada Airports Authority (GAA). Fuel services cater to both commercial and private aircraft, and a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) facility provides premium services.
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It's located on a peninsula in the extreme southwestern section of Grenada
The Maurice Bishop International Airport is the main airport on the island of Grenada, serving the capital city of St. George's. It is located on a peninsula in the extreme southwestern section of the island, around six to seven miles from the town of St. George's. The airport is named after former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop (1944–1983), who advocated for its construction to make the island more accessible to tourists from Europe and North America.
The airport is situated on Point Salines, the most southwestern point of Grenada. Formerly known as Point Salines International Airport, it was designed to replace the obsolete Pearls Airport on the north side of the island. The existing Pearls Airport had a short and geographically challenging runway, which could not accommodate long-range jets used by international tourists.
The construction of the new airport was championed by Prime Minister Bishop, who argued that it would boost Grenada's tourist trade by allowing direct flights from Europe and North America. The airport was designed by a Canadian firm, with construction contracts awarded to European and American firms. The runway system consists of two runways, both with an asphalt surface, and is equipped with airfield lighting for night operations.
Located about 41 feet (12 meters) above mean sea level, the airport is easily accessible from St. George's via the coastal road southbound, which connects to the Maurice Bishop Highway leading directly to the airport site. Transfers from the city typically take around 20 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport serving Grenada is Maurice Bishop International Airport, located in the parish of St. George's, which is the capital of the island.
The airport is located about 5-7 miles from the capital. The drive time from St. George's is approximately 20 minutes.
The airport has a tourist information desk, disabled access, free Wi-Fi, public telephones, charging points, and a postbox. There are also five rental car agencies at the airport.
Air Canada operates a biweekly service from Toronto to Grenada, with connections from other Canadian cities. LIAT provides connections to Grenada from various Caribbean islands, as well as international flights from Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia, and Trinidad.
