Canefield Airport

History

Plans for an airport at Canefield were first discussed in the mid-1970s. Construction began in early 1979 with British funding, shortly after Dominica's independence. The airport was officially opened in 1981, and was preferred over Melville Hall (a two-hour drive from the national capital of Roseau at the time). Crosswinds, "occasional landing difficulties", and the facility's small size plagued its operation from the onset despite being closer to Roseau.

Runways and taxiways

It has one runway 01/19, which measures 3130 by 75 ft. Runway 01 has a 500-foot displaced threshold. There is mountainous terrain to the east, and rising terrain north and south, with the Caribbean sea to the west. Commercial operators require proficiency checks for their crews to be able to operate at the airport.

Traffic

Most of these flights operate with turboprop and piston aircraft such as the DHC-6 Twin Otter, Beechcraft King Air, and private aircraft.

Though not common, the airport has handled light business jets such as the Cessna Citation Mustang, and the Cessna Citation II on occasions. One of the largest aircraft to ever land at the airport was a Samaritan's Purse operated Basler BT-67.

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

The following airlines operate passenger and chartered flights to the Canefield Airport: | Airawak | Castries, Fort-de-France, Pointe-à-Pitre | | Anguilla Air Services | Seasonal: Anguilla, Antigua, Saint Barthélemy, St. Kitts, St. Maarten | | CalvinAir Helicopters | Charter: Antigua | | Executive Air | Seasonal: Antigua, Barbados, Castries, Grenada, St. Kitts | | Express Air Transport | Barbados, Bequia, St. Croix, St. Maarten, St. Vincent–Argyle | | Fly BVI Ltd | Charter: Beef Island | | Fly Montserrat | Seasonal: Antigua, Montserrat | | Island Birds | Seasonal: Antigua, San Juan | | St Barth Commuter | Charter: Saint Barthélemy, Fort-de-France, Pointe-à-Pitre, Saint Martin | | St Barth Executive | Charter: Pointe-à-Pitre, Port of Spain, Saint Barthélemy | | SVG Air | Antigua, Castries, St. Vincent–Argyle | | SXM Airways | Charter: St. Maarten | | Trans Anguilla Airways | Charter: Anguilla |

• Friday, October 25, 2024, a Press Release statement by SVG Air was issued announcing a new, non-stop flight from the Canefield Airport in Dominica to Antigua, St. Lucia - Castries, and St. Vincent–Argyle in St. Vincent (with a one-stop in St. Lucia) that begins November 24, 2024. This is the first time in years that the airport has had a scheduled airline. Flights will be operated with the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft.
• Coming soon, are new flights that will connect Dominica Canefield Airport to Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe. These flights will be operated by [Air Inter Iles] by [St. Barth Executive] using Tecnam P2012 Traveller STOL aircraft.

Cargo

| Executive Air | Antigua, Barbados, Castries, Grenada, St. Kitts | | Express Air Transport | Barbados, Bequia, Saint Croix, St. Maarten, St. Vincent–Argyle |

Temperature Record

On 3 October 2015, the weather station at Canefield Airport recorded a temperature of 35.5 C. This is the highest temperature to have ever been recorded in Dominica.

Accidents and incidents

• On Tuesday, March 1, 2011, a Rockwell Shrike Commander aircraft right main gear blew and the aircraft veered off the runway to the right. There were no injuries and this mishap is still unexplained.
• On Thursday, February 16, 2012, a Cessna 402 made an emergency landing. It landed without further incident.
• On Thursday, February 27, 2014, a Cessna 404 aircraft ran off the runway, suffered damage to the left wing.
• On Sunday, February 8, 2015, a private Cessna 404 aircraft coming from Venezuela ran off the runway, suffered extensive damage.
• On Wednesday, February 7, 2018, a Rockwell Shrike Commander aircraft upon landing suffered nose gear failure.
• On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, a light aircraft Flight Design CT (CTSW) [N7670], was involved in an accident that resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. While on departure, the aircraft encountered severe wind gusts; flipping the aircraft. There were reports of minor injuries to the occupants onboard.

References

References

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18. "SVG Air – Your Wings to Paradise!".
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28. (7 February 2018). "UPDATE: ECCAA to investigate Canefield Airport plane accident".
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