Piarco International Airport, the one of the two international airport of the islands of Trinidad & Tobago.  Piarco is located on Trinidad, in the town of the same name, nineteen miles east of the capital city, Port-of-Spain. It’s a significant transport hub for the southern Caribbean and it serves as the primary connection point for many passengers travelling to and from Guyana. Piarco has direct services to the United States, Canada, Central America, South America and Europe.  The airport is also the primary hub for the Caribbean’s largest airline, Caribbean Airlines.

There is a single east-west runway of 3,200 metres length, capable of managing aircraft up to Boeing 747 size. The newer North Terminal was completed in 2001 and the cathedral ceilings and glass walls of the ‘Y’ shaped concourse provide a light and spacious environment for passengers. The South Terminal serves high end travellers with private executive jet facilities. Overall, the airport serves approximately 2.5 million passengers per year, half of whom are international. Technologically, Piarco is a state-of-the-art airport and in 2019 it was named best airport in the Caribbean.

The Trinidadian economy is less reliant on tourism than most Caribbean islands, so there are fewer holiday operators at Piarco than one might expect. Regular passenger operators include Air Canada Rouge, American Airlines, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, Copa, JetBlue, LIAT, Surinam Airways, United and WestJet. Cargo carriers include Amerijet International, Caribbean Airlines Cargo and DHL Aviation.

Written by Clive Grant (February 2020).

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runway
10/28	3,200m (10,500ft) – Asphalt
Terminals
North (of the runway)	Major passenger terminal handling all pax flights.
South (of the runway)	Old pax terminal now in use for GA, Cargo and Helicopters.
Spotting Information
Ladder	A ladder is not advisable as it is likely to attract unwanted attention. In any case, there are signs stating that it is illegal to approach within 50ft of the perimeter fence.
Car/Public Transport	Although you’re generally likely to be staying in one place, a car is useful to get about the airport; it’s also useful to have somewhere cool to sit to escape the hot Caribbean sun.
Restrooms	Only in the airport terminal or in local eateries.
Drinks/Food	There are a number of eateries to the south of the airport, particularly on Caroni South Bank Road. There is also the Aeromart Supermarket on Caroni North Bank Road, otherwise there are facilities in the airport terminal.
Hotels	Grand Diamond Hotel is convenient, located to the south of the airport on Caroni North Bank Road. There are several other hotels north of the airport on BWIA Boulevard.
Season	Average temperatures in Trinidad vary little throughout the year.  January to May when the skies generally stay clear is the high season; also, the sun is not so high in the sky in these months which helps with photography. However, hotel prices drop during the low season if that’s an important consideration.
Runway Usage
10/28	10/28 is the only runway.  As with most of the Caribbean, the prevailing winds are from the east, meaning that Runway 10 is almost always in use. Only in exceptional weather situations is Runway 27 likely to be in use.

	Spot #1 – Summer Landing traffic on Runway 10
WHERE	By car, leave the airport heading west. At the roundabout take the first exit onto Golden Grove Road and remain on this road until it starts to turn south again at the north-west corner of the airport. Turn right onto the track here and park away from the main road; this is Spot #1.
WHAT	Traffic landing on Runway 10 in the summer only.
TIME	Arrivals in the summer: all day, although the sun will be quite high in the sky.
MISC.	There is no shade here and there are no facilities, so bring what you need.
FOCAL LENGTH	ATR72: 250mm, 737-800: 150mm, 767-300: 130mm

We cannot provide samples from this location. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you do so.

	Spot #2 – Winter Landing traffic on Runway 10
WHERE	By car, from Spot #1, rejoin the main road heading south and and take the next left. After about 150 metres, pull off the road and park on the right hand side, away from the fence; this is Spot #2.
WHAT	Traffic landing on Runway 10 in the winter only.
TIME	In the winter months, from early morning until late afternoon; in the summer months the sun may be too high at this spot for good photos.
MISC.	There is no shade here and there are no facilities, so bring what you need.
FOCAL LENGTH	ATR72 : 280mm, 737-800 175mm, 767-300 150mm

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	Spot #3 – Ibis Crash Gate
WHERE	From Spot #2, continue eastwards on Golden Grove Road to the junction with Caroni North Bank Road. Make a tight left turn here and follow this road for about 1.8km to Spot #3.
WHAT	Traffic departing on Runway 10 and climbing above the top of the fence. Some fast climbing traffic may already be too high by here.
TIME	In the winter months, from early morning until late afternoon; in the summer months the sun may be too high at this spot for good photos.
MISC.	There may be some shade from the shrubs but there are no facilities here, so bring what you need. NOTE:  IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO LOITER HERE FOR ANY TIME DUE TO YOUR PROXIMITY TO THE FENCE; IT’S BEST JUST TO TAKE YOUR PHOTO AND GO!
FOCAL LENGTH	Fokker 70: 230mm, 737-800: 360mm

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