Cyril E. King Airport

Cyril E. King Airport
Lars Schmidt · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Cyril E. King Airport
IATA	STT
ICAO	TIST
FAA	STT
Owner	Virgin Islands Port Authority
Location	Charlotte Amalie
Elevation ft	23
Coordinates	18, 20, 14, N...

Cyril E. King Airport is the primary aviation gateway for the island of Saint Thomas and a major transportation hub for the United States Virgin Islands. Owned and operated by the Virgin Islands Port Authority, the facility handles a significant volume of passenger and cargo traffic connecting the territory with the continental United States and other Caribbean islands. It is named for Cyril E. King, the second elected Governor of the United States Virgin Islands.

History

The airport's origins trace back to a United States Navy airfield established during World War II, known as Harry S. Truman Airport. Following the war, control was transferred to the Civil Aeronautics Administration, predecessor to the Federal Aviation Administration. The facility was renamed in 1984 to honor Cyril E. King, a pivotal figure in the territory's political development. Major modernization projects, including a terminal expansion completed in the 1990s, were overseen by the Virgin Islands Port Authority to accommodate growing tourism driven by the cruise ship industry and increased American Airlines service.

Facilities

The airport resides on 622 acres at an elevation of 23 feet above mean sea level. It features a single primary runway, designated 10/28, which is 7,000 feet long and paved with asphalt concrete. The passenger terminal, designed with an open-air concept reflective of Caribbean architecture, contains gates for both domestic and international arrivals. The airfield is equipped with a control tower and navigational aids including an Instrument Landing System (ILS). Cargo operations are supported by facilities used by carriers like Amerijet International and FedEx Express.

Airlines and destinations

The airport is a focus city for American Airlines, which operates multiple daily flights to hubs such as Miami and Charlotte. Other major U.S. carriers include Delta Air Lines to Atlanta and JetBlue to New York–JFK and Boston. Regional connectivity is provided by Cape Air and Silver Airways to neighboring islands like San Juan and Saint Croix. Seasonal service is often added by carriers such as United Airlines and Spirit Airlines.

Statistics

In a typical year, the airport facilitates the movement of over 1.5 million passengers, making it one of the busiest airports in the Eastern Caribbean. It consistently ranks high for aircraft operations in the Federal Aviation Administration's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) report for the region. Cargo tonnage is significant, with regular freight service supporting the local economy. The top destinations by passenger volume are typically Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, and New York City.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has experienced several notable aviation accidents. In 1990, a Douglas DC-3 operated by Virgin Islands Seaplane Shuttle crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in fatalities. Another significant incident involved a British Aerospace 125 business jet that overran the runway in 2008. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has investigated multiple occurrences, including a 2017 incident where a Cessna 208 Caravan operated by Air Century veered off the taxiway. These events have prompted reviews of procedures by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Ground transportation

Transportation options from the airport include taxis, which are regulated by the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission, and several rental car agencies such as Hertz and Avis. There is no public bus service directly serving the terminal, but private shuttle services connect to major resorts and the Charlotte Amalie cruise ship dock. The airport's proximity to Route 30 (U.S. Virgin Islands) provides direct road access to most points on Saint Thomas.

Category:Airports in the United States Virgin Islands Category:Buildings and structures in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands