The Caribbean's top-rated gateway hides a complex military history

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: From a 1930s airstrip for Venezuelan mail planes to a high-tech hub featuring the Caribbean's largest glass dome, Piarco International Airport is more than just a transit point. It is a site of intense wartime activity and modern engineering that has consistently topped regional rankings.

To accommodate Venezuela's Compagnie Générale Aéropostale, Piarco International Airport commenced operations during January 8, 1931. Prior to this creation, flying boats landed at temporary sites including Cocorite Docks and Queen's Park Savannah. The airport quickly became a strategic asset during World War II. In August 1940, it was commissioned as HMS Goshawk (Royal Naval Air Station Piarco), serving as a base for the Royal Navy’s No. 1 Observer Training School. It hosted various squadrons from the UK, including units equipped with Supermarine Walrus and Fairey Albacore aircraft.

During 1942, the site gained significance as the United States Navy and United States Army Air Forces Sixth Air Force employed it. These forces conducted anti-submarine patrols over the south Caribbean using B-18 Bolo bombers. The airport remained a military hub until its decommissioning on February 28, 1946, before returning to civil control. Today, it remains the primary base for Caribbean Airlines and serves as a vital link for cargo, oil rig logistics, and helicopter flights.

Modern Piarco is a feat of infrastructure, recently recognized by Skytrax as the best airport in the Caribbean for three consecutive years (2021–2023). It features a 2011 nine-story control tower and a North Terminal built in 2001. The terminal houses the largest glass dome in the Caribbean and exceeds ICAO standards with 82 ticket counter positions using SITA's fibre-optic C.U.T.E. system. Furthermore, it is transitioning toward sustainability; a $12 million solar park project began in 2022 to generate over 1.4 million kWh annually.

The airport layout is specialized: the North Terminal handles all commercial traffic, while the renovated South Terminal serves as an executive facility for private jets and cargo. It maintains distinct concourses for Caribbean Airlines and international travelers, alongside a dedicated Tobago concourse for domestic flights.

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