Last week in Portfolio, we told you about the executive service offered at Hewanorra International Airport through our Iyanola Executive Lounge. This week, we highlight the, George F.L. Charles Airport, located alongside golden Vigie Beach 3.7km north of Castries, which is also known as “the stepping stone to the Eastern Caribbean.” Did you know that the airport is named after Sir George Frederick Lawrence Charles? Our much‐loved trade union pioneer and founding father of the island’s Labour Party who went on to become the country’s first Minister of Education & Social Affairs and Chief Minister. George F. L. Charles handles around 300,000 annual passengers travelling on smaller aircraft to and from destinations within the Caribbean region on around 22,000 aircraft movements. Destinations are between 15 minutes and two‐hours flying time from the airport, including Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Vincent, Barbados, Trinidad, Antigua, Dominica, Grenada and Puerto Rico.

Regular airlines operating scheduled daily services from George F.L. Charles include LIAT, currently operating daily services to a range of destinations, American Eagle flying daily to San Juan, Win Air to St. Marteen, and Air Caraibes operating daily to Martinique. The airport is popular with business and leisure travellers needing fast access between key areas of the Caribbean. Many passengers are business executives flying to Castries for meetings, before travelling onwards to other islands.

The Airport is also home to air taxi services and helicopter flights offering scenic views and photographic safaris for hundreds of passengers each year. Helicopters also offer exclusive transfers from the airport to many large hotels on the island equipped with helipads. The airside departure lounge, which handles up to 100 passengers, offers a duty free shop selling souvenirs, alcohol and tobacco products. An ATM, restaurant, newspaper and magazine stall and a money exchange are located in the check‐in area.

Should a flight be late departing or arriving, passengers and their friends can always take a short stroll across the street and sit under an almond tree on Vigie Beach – one of many fine sandy beaches to be found around Castries.

For monthly flight schedules and updates on arrival and departure times, visit www.slaspa.com.