Dominica / Airport

Melville Hall, the main airport (airport code DOM, t 266 8239) is on the north-east coast between Marigot and Wesley and has recently enjoyed the benefit of substantial European Union funding for runway and apron extension, parking, terminal building improvements and night landing facilities. For the first timer it’s always a hair-raising introduction with a steep approach between two enclosing mountains and the runway ends at the dramatic pounding shoreline of Londonderry Bay where large stone caissons have been installed to protect it from erosion. It’s a relatively tiny operation with very limited facilities compared to other Caribbean islands and cannot accommodate international passenger jets, only the smaller LIAT and American Eagle twin prop aircraft with links from Antigua and San Juan, Puerto Rico primarily. 

For thirty years there has been discussion, and nothing more, regarding the construction of a major hub with international capabilities but the terrain and mountainous topography simply mediates against it; it may be no bad thing - economic prosperity is stymied, yes, but mass tourism has been avoided and the character and soul of the country largely preserved. The 20th September 2010 was a landmark day in Dominica’s modern history too when the inaugural night landing took place amid great acclaim and national celebration. This had also been a bone of contention for years, and international connections will now theoretically be far easier for both entry and departure. 

A small makeshift drinks and food outlet has opened adjacent to the car rental desks, so best to stock up here because nothing is available once within the check-in and security area. 

An even shorter, less utilised airstrip exists at Canefield in the south-west, just north of Roseau on the coast. This caters for light courier aircraft, small island hoppers and charters with SVG Air and the Extreme Dominica hiking and climbing company. The cross country road, the Transinsular Road from Melville Hall to the capital Roseau takes about 1.5 hours.