BGI · Grantley Adams International
History
From Seawell’s grass runway to today’s Grantley Adams International Airport.
Grantley Adams International Airport sits on the eastern fringe of the Caribbean basin and forms one of the most critical links in the region’s aviation infrastructure.
From Seawell to GAIA
The forerunner of GAIA was Seawell Airport, which came into being in 1956 after a KLM aircraft landed on a grass runway in 1939. In 1940–41 the Barbados government recognised that a paved runway was needed to maintain links with the outside world. The new building completed in 1956 served well for 23 years but became outdated as traffic grew.
Tower, renaming, and a new terminal
The present air traffic control tower was completed in 1976. Later that year the airport was renamed Grantley Adams International Airport in honour of Sir Grantley Adams, Prime Minister of the West Indies Federation and a National Hero of Barbados. On 1 November 1979 a new terminal opened at a capital cost of $28 million BDS — an imposing grey concrete building set among lush greenery.
Important dates in Barbados’ aviation history
| Event / Day | Date | Year |
|---|---|---|
| First international flight to land in Barbados (Rockley Golf Club) | March 29 | 1929 |
| International Learn to Fly Day | May 15 | Annually |
| First Concorde to land in Barbados | November 7 | 1977 |
| Official opening of Grantley Adams International Airport | November 1 | 1979 |
| Anniversary of Seawell International Airport | October 19 | Annually |
| International Air Traffic Controllers’ Day | October 20 | Annually |
| International Civil Aviation Day | December 7 | Annually |