Description & Facts: Half a century ago, aircraft were something of a novelty on the 36 sq mile, (93km2) island of Nevis, and only light aircraft were to be seen there. The first recognized airport facility serving the island’s 9,000-strong population was built in the late 1950s, and was little more than a dirt strip with a ‘stop’ sign at the end to remind any landing pilots who might have forgotten! The Canadian company Viva Asphalt first paved the runway at what was then known as Newcastle Airport in 1968. Staff who were there ‘in the early days’ remember working days ‘filled with fun’. Saturday was ‘cooking day’ when all staff were required to help with the cooking at the airport. Some also remember having to visit the doctor afterwards when they got it wrong!

Since then the airport was changed beyond recognition. Between 1985 and 1990, the Canadian-sponsored Caribbean Airports project provided another runways overlay as well as a new lighting system, crash rescue vehicle, tow-tractor, maintenance building and excellent staff training. The government helped by further developing the site. In 1997 the runway was extended from 1,500ft (610m) to its current length of 4,026ft (1,220m) and a new airfield lighting and ‘PAPI’ system was installed the following year, coinciding with the replacement of the advisory ATC service supplied by St Kitts by on-site meteorological services when a dedicated control tower was commissioned at Nevis.

Facilities at Nevis airport

At the terminal’s opening ceremony on September 19, 2002, the airport was officially re-named Vance W Amory in honor of the island’s current Premier. Like the development at St Kitts, the ultra-modern terminal building at Nevis is a direct result of the island’s desire to develop its facilities in line with tourism. Helen Kidd, CEO of the Nevis Tourist Authority, sums up the islands well when she explains to visitors: ‘This is the Caribbean as it used to be’. As for the airport itself, though, there could hardly be a greater contrast.

Taking into account its size, at approximately only 24,000 sq ft (2,200m2) the terminal building is striking in appearance. The pleasant climate allows the front of the building to be open to the elements, allowing passengers to check in away from direct sunshine.

In the center of the building, behind the check-in desks, a gentle waterfall runs across a glass feature back-lit by natural light – a simple, but beautiful and relaxing, feature that mirrors the island as a whole. The first jet landed here in 1999, and keeping with the type of tourist this island attracts, there has been a consistent demand for the parking and handling of executive jets ever since.

Airport Operations

At present, five passenger airlines serve Nevis. Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT) is the biggest passenger carrier, using Dash-8-3000 equipment for services to Antigua and St Juan. Winward Islands Airways International, or Winair as it is universally known, provides services to its home base of St Maarten, using DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft. Carib Aviation serves Antigua, St Martin, Anguilla, St Barts and Guadeloupe with a combination of Twin Otter and Cesna 402 aircraft, and Coastal Air serves St Croix with Cessna 402 and 404s.

Tourism attracts the majority of traffic to Nevis, approximately 46% of it coming from the US and 12% from the UK, and to meet this traffic the normal operating hours of the airport are from 06.00 to 21.00 local time. Other times are available on a prior-permission basis.

Two of the biggest names in cargo offer regular services to the island as part of their links to the other Leeward Islands. DHL operates ten flights per week, with FedEx adding another five, both using Cessna Caravan equipment.

Read about St Kitts Airport!