| Many travelers and even travel professionals are | | | | The second airport, the George F Charles Airport, is |
| confused by the two airport system in St. Lucia. This | | | | sometimes referred to as "Vigie" from the name of |
| article will help to sort out the historical and practical | | | | the locale. Named in honor of a prominent statesman |
| reasons for two airports and discuss the issues | | | | of the 1950's, this is a smaller airport with a smaller |
| travelers face when planning a trip to St. Lucia. | | | | runway, so commercial jets are not allowed. This |
| Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) | | | | regional airport is serviced primarily by the regional |
| Hewanorra (from the Amerindian word for "place of | | | | airlines Liat and Caribbean Star (featuring the Dash 8 |
| the iguana") is the international airport. Constructed in | | | | airliner which seats around 30 passengers), and |
| the late 1930's by the US military (the US Navy had | | | | American Eagle flights from San Juan (some US |
| signal corps personnel based in St. Lucia during WWII), | | | | travelers reach St. Lucia via this route). Connections go |
| it is located in the far southeastern corner of the island | | | | to Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, |
| adjacent to the local town of Vieux Fort. This is the | | | | Trinidad, Martinique and Antigua. These are aboard a |
| only area of this ruggedly mountainous island that has | | | | slightly larger turboprop aircraft seating around 60 |
| a large enough flat area to contain a long runway. Due | | | | passengers. Other international passengers may arrive |
| to the prevailing easterly winds, the runway points to | | | | here on a regional airline connecting to an international |
| the east. Nearly all approaches to the runway are | | | | flight from nearby Barbados. |
| from the west over the sea. As the plane makes its | | | | Services here are limited to a small snack bar and one |
| final approach to landing, passengers on the left side of | | | | very small duty-free shop. There are car rental booths, |
| the aircraft are treated to spectacular views of the | | | | an organized cab system, and many tour operators or |
| Pitons, and those on the right enjoy a hazy view of the | | | | hotel reps to greet new arrivals. Pictures on the walls |
| mountains of St Vincent about 20 miles away. | | | | depict the runway as it was in the 1950's-only a small |
| This runway is long enough to accommodate the | | | | shanty but no real terminal. |
| largest jets, so all international jet traffic must be | | | | Once You've Landed |
| routed into Hewanorra. If you are on an international | | | | Arrivals at either airport will be expected to complete |
| flight from the UK or a North American gateway, this | | | | an immigration form and to speak first to an |
| will be your destination airport. By Caribbean standards, | | | | immigration officer and then a customs officer once |
| this is a medium-sized airport. There are 8-10 duty-free | | | | luggage is claimed. Upon departure from either airport, |
| shops and a couple of snack bars, plenty of available | | | | each passenger will be assessed a departure tax of |
| cabs, and tour operator and hotel reps to greet new | | | | approximately $20 US. |
| arrivals. | | | | In summary, the northern airport is much handier to |
| Airport Transfers from Hewanorra-What to Expect | | | | most resorts and certainly much handier to the city of |
| Since nearly all hotels and resorts on the island are | | | | Castries. But, if arriving by jet from the UK or North |
| located on the west side of the island (especially the | | | | America, this airport is simply not an option. American |
| northwest corner), all arrivals into Hewanorra face a | | | | Airlines is the only carrier with scheduled flights to both |
| lengthy cab ride to their hotel (Coconut Bay Resort is | | | | airports. The airport of your arrival is not subject to |
| the one major hotel located near this airport, plus a | | | | your choice but is predetermined according to the |
| few smaller hotels). Though the distance is only 20+ | | | | airline you are flying. |
| miles, the narrow, winding roads and traffic make it a | | | | Hot Tips |
| slow commute. Travel to the Soufriere (Pitons) area | | | | Some additional tips for airport transfers and cabs in |
| will be around 45 minutes; travel to the many resorts | | | | St. Lucia: |
| north of Castries will be around 90 minutes. Still, this is | | | | • Always check with your booking agency to |
| an interesting journey-your first island tour! The route | | | | find out if transfers are included in your package and if |
| will take you along the Atlantic coast, up to Dennery, | | | | you will be greeted upon arrival. |
| and across the interior where you will see your first | | | | • If you have not prepaid for transfers, the |
| excellent mountain vistas. Then you'll follow a valley | | | | cab fare is set by law and not metered. |
| heading toward the Caribbean coast, entering the very | | | | • It is always appropriate to ask the fare |
| interesting Caribbean city and sea port of Castries, | | | | before departure to avoid subsequent |
| which is home to most of the local populace (banana | | | | misunderstandings. |
| boats may be loading and cruise ships may be docked | | | | • Tipping is appropriate. |
| here). Exiting the city, you will pass the other airport as | | | | • Cab fare will vary according to precise |
| you enter the main roadway to the north en route to | | | | destination and number of passengers; in general, the |
| the many hotels and resorts of this neighborhood. | | | | cost of a cab to a northern resort will run around $75 |
| George F Charles Airport (SLU) | | | | US plus tip. |