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George F. L. Charles Airport, also known as Vigie Airport, is located 2 km north of Castries, the capital city of Saint Lucia. It is one of two airports on the island, the other being Hewanorra International Airport. George F. L. Charles Airport is named after Saint Lucia politician Sir George Frederick Lawrence Charles and is located near the pristine beach of Vigie. The airport handles around 32,000 flights and 394,000 passengers per year, with most flights operating with turboprop aircraft.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | George F. L. Charles Airport |
| Other Names | Vigie Airport, Vigie Field |
| Location | 2 km (1.2 mi) north of Castries, Saint Lucia |
| IATA | SLU |
| ICAO | TLPC |
| Runway | 6,227 ft (1,898 m) long, 148 ft (45 m) wide, 23 ft (7 m) elevation |
| Annual Flights | 32,000 |
| Annual Passengers | 394,000 |
| Amenities | Essential services, luxury ground transportation, concierge services, inflight catering, hotel accommodation |
| Nearby Attractions | Reduit Beach, Pigeon Island National Park, Castries City Center |
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What You'll Learn
- George F. L. Charles Airport is located 2km north of Castries, Saint Lucia's capital city
- It is the smaller of the two airports in Saint Lucia, the other being Hewanorra International Airport
- The airport is named after Saint Lucia politician Sir George Frederick Lawrence Charles (1916-2004)
- It is also known as Vigie Airport, as its runway runs parallel to Vigie Beach
- Private jet charter flights are available to and from the airport
George F. L. Charles Airport is located 2km north of Castries, Saint Lucia's capital city
The airport is named after Sir George Frederick Lawrence Charles (1916-2004), a Saint Lucian politician. It is also known as Vigie Airport, as it was previously called Vigie Field. The airport is conveniently located about five minutes from Castries, making it a perfect and valuable centre for cargo.
British West Indies Airways (BWIA) served Vigie Field as early as 1950 with flights operated weekly to several Caribbean destinations. By 1965, BWIA was operating daily flights into the airport with Vickers Viscount turboprop airliners. In 1995, Carib Express operated British Aerospace BAe 146-100 jet flights into the airport nonstop from Barbados, Dominica, and St. Vincent.
The George Charles Outstation of the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority, General Aviation Services, and the Island Flyers Club are all housed within the airport.
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It is the smaller of the two airports in Saint Lucia, the other being Hewanorra International Airport
George F. L. Charles Airport (IATA: SLU, ICAO: TLPC) is the smaller of the two airports in Saint Lucia, the other being Hewanorra International Airport. It is located 2 km (1.2 mi) north of Castries, the capital city of Saint Lucia. The airport is named after Sir George Frederick Lawrence Charles (1916–2004), a Saint Lucian politician. George F. L. Charles Airport is managed by the Saint Lucia Air and Seaports Authority (SLASPA).
The airport is conveniently located about five minutes from Castries, making it a valuable centre for cargo. It is also a popular choice for private jet charter flyers travelling to Saint Lucia from other Caribbean islands or to nearby Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The airport has one asphalt runway that runs parallel to Vigie Beach, a pristine beach that is a popular tourist attraction. The runway is 6,227 feet (1,898 meters) long and 148 feet (45 meters) wide, with an elevation of 23 feet (7 meters).
George F. L. Charles Airport handles around 32,000 flights per year, carrying 394,000 passengers. Most of these flights operate with turboprop aircraft such as the ATR 72-500 or the de Havilland Canada DHC-8 Dash 8. Airlines such as British West Indies Airways (BWIA) and Leeward Islands Air Transport have been serving the airport since the 1950s, offering flights to various destinations in the Caribbean.
The airport houses the George Charles Outstation of the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority, General Aviation Services, and the Island Flyers Club. It is important to note that passenger amenities at George F. L. Charles Airport are restricted to essential services due to limited commercial flights. However, private jet charter clients can access exclusive amenities through a flight support organization, including concierge services, inflight catering, and hotel accommodation.
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The airport is named after Saint Lucia politician Sir George Frederick Lawrence Charles (1916-2004)
George F. L. Charles Airport, commonly known as Vigie Airport, is located 2 km (1.2 mi) north of Castries, the capital city of Saint Lucia. It is the smaller of the country's two airports, the other being Hewanorra International Airport. The airport was renamed on 4 August 1997 in honour of Saint Lucian politician Sir George Frederick Lawrence Charles (1916-2004). Sir George F. L. Charles was a prominent figure in Saint Lucian history, known for his contributions to the labour movement and politics.
Born on 7 June 1916, Sir George Charles received his education at St. Mary's College. He migrated to Aruba, where he worked for the Largo Oil and Transport Company and was exposed to trade union activities. Returning to Saint Lucia in 1945, he became an advocate for workers' rights, particularly at the Vigie Airport, where he was employed as a timekeeper. Sir George played an active role in trade unionism and was elected to the Castries Town Board as a trade union representative in 1948. He worked alongside his father, James Charles, to organise the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) in 1950, serving as its founding father. The SLP quickly became the dominant political force in the country, promoting a moderate socialist agenda that emphasised workers' rights and greater autonomy for Saint Lucia, then a colony of the United Kingdom.
In the 1951 general elections, the SLP, under Sir George's leadership, won five of the eight seats. As an elected member, he proposed a resolution for legal recognition of the right to paid leave, which was rejected by the Colonial Authorities. Undeterred, he continued to champion the elimination of social and political discrimination. Sir George served as the First Minister of Education and Social Services from March 1, 1956, and became the First Chief Minister of Saint Lucia on January 1, 1960. He held this position until April 25, 1964, when his government fell. After his tenure, he played a lesser role in politics, serving as Leader of the Opposition from 1964 to 1974.
Sir George Frederick Lawrence Charles was recognised for his contributions to Saint Lucia, receiving the country's second-highest honour, the St. Lucia Cross, in 1987. He was also knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1988. He passed away on June 26, 2004, at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy of tireless pursuit of equality, justice, and improved working conditions for the people of Saint Lucia.
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It is also known as Vigie Airport, as its runway runs parallel to Vigie Beach
George F. L. Charles Airport is located 2 km (1.2 mi) north of Castries, the capital city of Saint Lucia. It is also known as Vigie Airport, as its runway runs parallel to Vigie Beach, a popular tourist attraction. The airport is just a five-minute drive from Castries, making it a convenient hub for regional passengers.
The airport is named after Sir George Frederick Lawrence Charles (1916-2004), a Saint Lucian politician. It is one of two airports in Saint Lucia, the other being Hewanorra International Airport. George F. L. Charles Airport is the smaller of the two, with around 32,000 flights and 394,000 passengers per year.
The runway at George F. L. Charles Airport is made of asphalt and measures 6,227 feet (1,898 meters) in length and 148 feet (45 meters) in width. The airport is managed by the Saint Lucia Air and Seaports Authority (SLASPA), which prioritises safety and security.
Due to the limited commercial flights serving George F. L. Charles Airport, passenger amenities are restricted to essential services. However, private jet charter services are available, offering exclusive amenities such as concierge services, inflight catering, and hotel accommodation.
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Private jet charter flights are available to and from the airport
George F. L. Charles Airport (IATA: SLU, ICAO: TLPC), commonly known as Vigie Airport, is located 2 km (1.2 mi) north of Castries, the capital city of St. Lucia. It is the smaller of the two airports in St. Lucia, the other being Hewanorra International Airport.
George F. L. Charles Airport is a preferred gateway for elite, business, and leisure travellers due to its proximity to Castries and its ability to accommodate a range of private aircraft, primarily executive turboprops to midsize jets. Its runway, which is approximately 5,699 feet long, runs parallel to Vigie Beach, a popular tourist attraction.
Private jet charter clients at the airport have access to exclusive amenities provided by a flight support organization, including concierge services, inflight catering, and hotel accommodations. Additionally, luxury ground transportation services are available for private jet charter flyers.
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Frequently asked questions
George F.L. Charles Airport is located in Castries, the capital city of St. Lucia.
The airport is located about 2 km (1.2 mi) north of Castries. It is approximately five minutes from the city.
The IATA code for the airport is SLU, and the ICAO code is TLPC.
The runway at George F.L. Charles Airport is 6,227 feet (1,898 meters) long and 148 feet (45 meters) wide.
The airport is commonly known as Vigie Airport due to its proximity to Vigie Beach.
