Union Island International Airport (UNI)

The airport at a glance

• Union Island Airport (UNI) is a small public airport that serves Union Island, the southernmost airport in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It opened in 1994 and lies about 400 m from the town of Clifton.
• Scheduled flights are on turboprop and light aircraft to St Vincent and nearby Grenadines, plus regional routes such as Barbados, Grenada, Carriacou and St Lucia. The main carriers are SVG Air, Mustique Airways and Grenadine Airways.
• The runway is 752 m long with a displaced threshold and a steep approach over hills, so only short-takeoff-and-landing aircraft use it. There are no jets, no aviation fuel, and the runway is unlit, so there are no departures after dusk.
• The airport is busiest in the winter holiday season and at Easter, when charter flights serve Clifton's kitesurfing, sailing and diving visitors.

Terminal

• There is one small terminal with four check-in counters, security, immigration and customs, baggage reclaim and waiting areas. A small car park is at the front entrance.
• Passengers walk across the apron to board the aircraft.

Getting into Union Island

• Clifton, the island's main town and ferry dock, is about 400 m from the terminal, so many visitors walk. Taxis are easily found on the island; no fixed fares were published by the airport.
• Water taxis and charter boats from Clifton Harbour link to Mayreau and the Tobago Cays Marine Park. Private boat transfers serve Palm Island and Petit St Vincent.
• Passenger ferries run from Clifton to Kingstown on St Vincent, calling at Canouan, Mayreau and Bequia on some sailings. The fast ferry takes about 2.5 hours from Kingstown. Schedules change by day of the week and sailings are sometimes cancelled, so check the current timetable on the day.
• Ferries from Carriacou (Grenada) also arrive at Clifton, and the ferry operator takes passengers to the airport for immigration.

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Arriving in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

• Most visitors do not need to apply for a visa in advance, provided they satisfy immigration officers on arrival that they are genuine visitors. Immigration is handled in the Union Island terminal.
• Carry a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry, plus a return or onward ticket to a place where you have 'landed' status. Officers may also ask for proof of sufficient funds and of accommodation for the stay, and they decide the length of stay.
• Nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, China, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Nepal, Nigeria and Syria must get a pre-entry visa. Apply to the Ministry of National Security in Kingstown before travelling.

Money, SIM cards and services

• The local currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$). US dollars are widely accepted, but smaller businesses often take cash only.
• There is a bank in Clifton, close to the airport, where you can exchange currency if you show your passport. The island has one ATM, which is often empty at weekends and on public holidays, so bring cash.
• Digicel sells local SIM cards in Clifton.
• The SVG Air office at the airport can be reached on +1 784 458 8882.