Cyril E. King Airport is a public airport located 3 km west of the Charlotte Amalie central business district on the island of St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands. The airport also serves the island of St. John and is also frequently used by travelers to the nearby British Virgin Islands.
Although passports are not required for U.S. citizens visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands from other U.S. jurisdictions, all travelers to the continental United States and Puerto Rico must undergo U.S. Customs and Border Protection screening before boarding their flights. The airport has a 2,134 m × 46 m long main runway. The terminal has 11 gates. The airport has an increased private jet traffic, especially during the summer months.
Virgin Islands private jet charter prices
Although Cyril E. King Airport air charter fees depend on variables such as the number of passengers, departure airport, flight time, aircraft position, flight date, the prices for private jet charter from Istanbul → Virgin Islands are as follows.
| Heavy Jet | 104.900 EUR |
| Long Range Jet | 138.000 EUR |
| VIP Airliner | 175.100 EUR |
These prices are average amounts and you can contact us on our flight reservation screen or by phone for the most accurate price information.
History of Cyril E. King Airport
Originally known as Mosquito Bay, the airstrip became the only facility serving the island of St. Thomas in 1927. The facility was named after a nearby grassy marsh, which was renamed Lindbergh Bay after Charles Lindbergh used it to land his Spirit of St. Louis plane. The first passengers landed in 1928 and the runway remained for civilian use until it was purchased by the US government on September 1, 1935.
The runway consisted of two 490-meter long unpaved runways used to train US Marine Corps aviators. In 1940, the US Navy ordered a major expansion of the base and construction work to accommodate the VMS-3 observation squadron was undertaken, as well as the extension and paving of the runways. When World War II began, VMS-3 used the J2F-A Duck, Vought SU-2 Corsair, OS2N-1 Kingfisher and Douglas SBD Dauntless to patrol the surrounding areas for enemy submarines. By 1944, enemy submarine activity had declined. This made the base redundant and in 1946 it was handed over to the civilian authorities for operation.
Following the closure of the naval base, the airport was leased to the US Department of the Interior for civilian use. However, the Navy reserved the authority to reactivate the airport for military purposes. After the transfer, the old hangar was converted into a civilian terminal and named after President Harry S. Truman. On March 25, 1950, the Department of the Interior leased the land to the Virgin Islands. However, the ministry canceled the lease on July 1, 1954, citing a violation of the agreement. According to the Department, the Virgin Islands had failed to record and report financial transactions related to the land. As a result of the revocation, the property was given to the US Virgin Islands Corporation.
By 1994, American was operating wide-body Airbus A300-600R jets nonstop from Miami and San Juan, with single-stop A300 flights to St. Thomas from Chicago O’Hare Airport, Orlando and Philadelphia, as well as nonstop Boeing 757-200 flights from New York Kennedy Airport. In 1994, other airlines operating jet services to St. Thomas during the same period included Continental Airlines, which operated Boeing 727-200 flights non-stop from New York Newark Airport, Continental Airlines, which operated Boeing 757-200 flights non-stop from Atlanta and St. Croix. Delta Air Lines with nonstop service from Atlanta and St. Croix and one-stop 757 service from Washington Reagan National Airport, Private Jet Expeditions (then operating as National Airlines) with nonstop service from Atlanta and one-stop service from Chicago Midway Airport flown in McDonnell Douglas MD-80s, and USAir with nonstop service from Baltimore and one-stop service from Pittsburgh flown in Boeing 727-200s.
Also historically, the airport has hosted Air Force One and Two, carrying Bill Clinton, Al Gore and Joe Biden respectively, using Boeing 707s and later Boeing 757s.
Cyril E. King Airport has also hosted a number of charter jet aircraft, including the Boeing 757, Boeing 767 and McDonnell Douglas DC-10. A new passenger terminal opened in November 1990.
List of places to visit in Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands are a group of archipelagos in the British Territory of the Caribbean. The islands are famous for their white sandy beaches, turquoise seas and natural beauty. Attracting visitors at all times of the year, the Virgin Islands are home to many places to visit.
St. Thomas Island is the largest island of the Virgin Islands. Charlotte Amalie, located in the center of the island, was once a pirate haven. Now it is famous for its historical buildings, restaurants and shops that tourists can enjoy. For those who want to explore the natural beauty of the island, the beaches of Magens Bay, Coki Bay and Sapphire Bay are recommended.
St. John Island is the most natural island of the Virgin Islands. Two-thirds of the island is protected as a national park. The beaches and natural beauty of the island are among the top attractions for visitors. Beaches such as Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay and Maho Bay are famous tourist attractions. Activities such as snorkeling, diving and hiking are also available on the island.
Virgin Gorda Island is the smallest island of the Virgin Islands. Among the most famous tourist attractions of the island are the sandstone caves called The Baths. These caves are one of the biggest natural beauties that attract tourists. The beaches and natural bays of the island are also very popular. Spring Bay, Devil’s Bay and Savannah Bay beaches are among the must-see places for tourists.
Cyril E. King airport guide
Virgin Islands Cyril E. King Airport is the main airport of the Virgin Islands, located in the British Territory of the Caribbean. There are many options for getting from the airport to the city center.
Airport taxi stands are located at the exit of the terminals and it is quite easy to get to the city center by taxi. Taxi fares are based on a fixed price tariff and the journey takes approximately 20-30 minutes.
There are many car rental companies at the airport. This option is ideal for tourists who want to get around the island. However, the island’s narrow roads and traffic jams can make driving difficult. Before renting a car, it is important to familiarize yourself with traffic rules and local legal requirements.
Buses depart from bus stops near the airport and go to many parts of the island. However, timetables are limited and can be crowded, so it is important to allow time to travel. Also, there may not be enough space for suitcases, so traveling with large luggage may not be possible.
