A R R I V A L S L O U N G E
BUSINESS AIRPOR T INTERNATIONAL J U L Y 2 0 1 9 |
7
Left: Tourism is the main driver
of air traffic at St Lucia
Right: Artist’s impression of
the new FBO at Hewanorra
Below: IAM Jet Centers in
Grenada and Montego Bay
“IAM Jet Centre
St Lucia will cater
to all business aviation
passengers and crew
visiting the island for leisure
or business, as well as a very
select number of high-end
passengers travelling on
commercial airlines”
Paul Worrell, chairman of
IAM Jet Centre
Investing in
the island
IAM Jet Centre’s new FBO at
Hewanorra is part of a wider
investment at the airport.
The program of work, which
will cost in excess of US$100
million, includes the expansion
of the existing terminal and
construction of a new terminal
with facilities including airconditioning,
restaurants, shops
and executive lounges.
St Lucia receives more than
a million visitors annually, with
nearly 400,000 of those arrivals
coming from the USA and the
UK. When the airport expansion
is completed, the government
hopes to significantly increase
this number. The investment
in the airport will be crucial to
growing the island’s already
booming tourism industry,
which accounts for around 65%
of St. Lucia’s economy.
making use of the public commercial terminal
facilities. As St Lucia’s premium tourism and
international business sectors continue to grow,
the timing was right to create the dedicated FBO.
“Passengers using private jets are typically
attracted to St. Lucia because of its amazing offering
of luxury hotels, villas and yachting facilities in an
island that boasts a bountiful geography of sandy
beaches, rainforests, mountains enhanced by premium
golf courses, world class horse racing and a rich
Anglo-French local culture.
“IAM Jet Centre St Lucia will cater to all business
aviation passengers and crew visiting the island for
leisure or business, as well as a very select number
of high-end passengers travelling on commercial
airlines,” adds Worrell.
As with many Caribbean islands, St Lucia’s
business aviation market is directly linked to the scope
and pace of the local luxury tourism and international
business industries. St Lucia has been focused on
developing these sectors and business aviation activity
has reflected this dynamism year after year. Typically,
Caribbean markets are small when compared to major