Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport
Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport is an international airport of Martinique in the French West Indies. Located in Le Lamentin, a suburb of the capital Fort-de-France, it was opened in 1950 and renamed in 2007, after author and politician Aimé Césaire.
Facilities
The airport is at an elevation of above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 10/28 with an asphalt surface measuring. When Air Martinique existed, its headquarters were located on the airport property. The runway is of a length that can accommodate large jets, including 747s from France. On at least two occasions, the Concorde flew from Paris and landed at the airport in Martinique.Passenger facilities include police, customs, baggage claim, pharmacy, vaccination bureau, handicap facilities, tobacconist, bank, money changing, souvenir shops, tax-free shopping, gift shop, florist, hairdresser, car rentals, taxi, parking, restaurants, cafés and bars, and two hotels.
Cargo facilities include a 747 freighter dock, bonded warehouse, transit zone, mechanical handling, heated storage, refrigerated storage, mortuary, fresh meat inspection, health officials, very large/heavy cargo, and an express/courier centre.
Accidents and incidents
- 30 August 1979: an IRMA/Britten Norman BN-2A-8 Islander of Air Martinique was damaged beyond repair while standing, likely from Hurricane David.
- 17 July 1994: an IRMA/Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2B-26 Islander of Air Martinique leased from Trans Island Air crashed into Les Pitons du Cabbets at 21:45, 13 km NNW of Fort-de-France while on approach from Bridgetown, killing all 6 occupants. The plane crashed just 15 feet below the hills' 2795 foot summit. The cause was found to be pilot failure.
- 10 October 2024: Protesters occupied the airport tarmac overnight and tried to enter the terminal, disrupting several flights and trapping hundreds of passengers.