including one stand capable of handling the Airbus A380.
With an increasing number of airlines now operating the
500-seat-plus aircraft, a trans-Atlantic service into Saint
Lucia is not outside the realm of possibility. Currently,
Hewanorra has five parking positions, two for wide-body
aircraft and three for medium-sized aircraft such as the
Airbus 320 and Boeing 737 aircraft.
An airfield to suit
The Master Plan covers many other aspects of airport
operations. The runway will also be widened. At 2,745m
(9,000 ft.), Hewanorra’s runway is already long enough to
handle all commercial aircraft except the Airbus 380. The
45.72m (150 ft.) width is insufficient to handle the A380,
which requires 60.96m (200 ft.) from shoulder to shoulder
and also there would be a need to extend the runway to at
least 3,050m (10,000 ft.).
There are also plans to exploit the disused concrete
runway to the north of the airfield. This was built by the
American military during World War II and could usefully be
re-commissioned to serve as a taxiway for cargo operations
and also for access to hangars. One proposal is to move
cargo operations to the north-side, putting in all the
HANDBOOK & PORT DIRECTORY 2013/2015
Hewanorra International Airport
25
SLASPA has been active in getting passenger
feedback on current services and future
requirements, which has provided the
Authority with a vital insight into what is
needed to serve visitors to its tropical
island paradise.
