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Grantley Adams International Airport Inc.

History

Grantley Adams International Airport is strategically situated on the eastern fringe of the Caribbean basin and forms one of the most critical links in the region’s aviation infrastructure.
The forerunner of Grantley Adams International Airport was Seawell Airport which came into being in 1956 after a Royal Netherlands Airlines (KLM) plane landed on a grass runway in 1939. In 1940/41, the Barbados government recognised that a paved runway was necessary for the country to maintain a link with the outside world.

The new building was completed in 1956, and though it served Barbados well for 23 years, it quickly became outdated due to the rapid increase in air traffic.

The present air traffic control tower was completed in 1976. Later that same year, the airport was renamed “Grantley Adams International Airport” in honour of Sir Grantley Adams, Prime Minister of the West Indies Federation and now a National Hero of Barbados.


Another landmark occasion for GAIA was November 1, 1979, the opening of a new terminal. At a capital cost of $28 million BDS, the terminal is a unique, imposing building of grey concrete offset by lush greenery.

Important dates in Barbados' Aviation history

EVENT/DAY DATE YEAR
First airplane (International flight) to land in Barbados@ Rockley Golf Club
March 29th
1929
International Learn to fly Day
May 15th
annually
The official opening of the Grantley Adams International Airport
November 1st
1979
The anniversary of Seawell International Airport
October 19th
annually
First Concorde to land in Barbados
November 7th
1977
International Air Traffic Controllers’ Day
October 20th
annually
International Civil Aviation Day
December 7th
annually

Looking Back