Tag: us virgin islands

Cyril E. King Airport (STT) stands as a vital transportation hub located just two miles west of Charlotte Amalie’s central business district on the beautiful island of St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands. It serves as a bustling gateway to the region, offering both domestic and international flights. With 1,403,000 passengers handled from July 2015 to June 2016, it holds the distinction of being the busiest airport in the U.S. Virgin Islands and one of the eastern Caribbean’s most active.

The airport not only caters to travelers heading to the United States and Puerto Rico but also plays a crucial role in serving the neighboring island of St. John and facilitating travel to the nearby British Virgin Islands. While passports are not required for U.S. citizens traveling from other U.S. territories to the U.S. Virgin Islands, passengers bound for the continental United States and Puerto Rico must undergo U.S. Customs and Border Protection screening before departure.

Cyril E. King Airport boasts a single runway, measuring 7,000 feet in length and 150 feet in width (10/28). The airport’s terminal features 11 gates split across two departure areas. The primary section handles flights bound for the United States and Puerto Rico and offers various amenities, including dining options, a gift shop, and a duty-free store. In addition, the airport houses a flight school known as Ace Flight Center, and the St. Thomas Jet Center, catering to private aviation. The airport has plans for expansion and modernization, including the addition of a second departure lounge, jet bridges, and moving airport offices to the third floor, all aimed at enhancing the overall passenger experience.

Over the years, Cyril E. King Airport has seen various airlines operating scheduled passenger jet services, linking the island with numerous destinations, showcasing its significance as a key air travel hub in the Caribbean. Plans for ongoing upgrades and improvements underscore the airport’s commitment to staying at the forefront of regional air travel infrastructure, ensuring seamless and efficient travel for passengers.

Henry E. Rohlsen Airport is a crucial public airport situated six miles southwest of Christiansted on the captivating island of St. Croix in the United States Virgin Islands. Named in honor of Henry E. Rohlsen, a distinguished native of St. Croix and one of the esteemed Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, this airport has played a significant role in the region’s air travel landscape.

While it primarily serves inter-Caribbean flights, Henry E. Rohlsen Airport is capable of handling jets as large as the Boeing 747s. Before 1996, the airport bore the name Alexander Hamilton International Airport. During World War II, it was known as Benedict Airfield, hosting the 12th Bombardment Squadron (25th Bombardment Group) for antisubmarine patrols. After the war, it was transferred to civilian control and renamed to honor Alexander Hamilton, a former St. Croix resident and founding father of the United States.

Over the years, several airlines have operated scheduled passenger jet services to St. Croix, emphasizing its role as a key transportation hub in the Caribbean. American Airlines, in particular, has maintained a presence on the island, connecting it with various destinations. Recent developments, such as the Antonov An-124 landing in 2018 to deliver hurricane recovery supplies, underscore the airport’s significance in aiding disaster relief efforts in the region.

In line with its commitment to modernization and improvement, Henry E. Rohlsen Airport embarked on a multi-phase terminal expansion and renovation project. The first phase, estimated at $8.6 million, was funded by a $7 million grant from the US Department of Commerce-Economic Development Administration, with a local match of $1.6 million from the VI Port Authority. This phase included enhancing lounge space, upgrading passenger facilities, and more. Further phases aimed to add jet bridges, expand concession and retail areas, and enhance passenger flow. The project, estimated at $140 million in total, signifies Henry E. Rohlsen Airport’s dedication to providing passengers with a world-class travel experience while bolstering the island’s connectivity and tourism prospects.