JAGS McCartney International Airport guide

JAGS McCartney International Airport serves Grand Turk, the seat of government of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Its IATA code is GDT and its ICAO code is MBGT. The airport is the second largest in the territory, after Providenciales International Airport.

The airport is classed as international and has customs and immigration, but it mainly handles domestic flights. Caicos Express Airways and interCaribbean Airways link Grand Turk with Providenciales, South Caicos and Salt Cay. The single asphalt runway can take aircraft as large as a Boeing 757 or Airbus A321. Private aircraft also use the field.

The runway began as part of South Base, a U.S. Air Force guided missile tracking station completed in 1953. The base closed in 1983. The airport is named after James Alexander George Smith McCartney, the territory's first Chief Minister and only National Hero. A replica of the Friendship 7 capsule stands at the entrance, a reminder that John Glenn made landfall on Grand Turk after his 1962 orbital flight.

The terminal has seating, domestic departure lounges and the Cockpit Lounge, a small cafe. Parking outside is free, and taxis and rental cars are available at the door.